Searches carried out in South Armagh has resulted in the arrest of three men. Two men, aged 32 and 59, who were arrested in the south Armagh area, have been charged with a number of offences, including possession of ammunition in suspicious circumstances and possession of firearms with intent to danger life. The searches were part of an investigation into the discovery of firearms in Crossmaglen in October 2023.
"Two men, aged 32 and 59, were arrested in the south Armagh area, while a third man, aged 69, was arrested in Grantham in Lincolnshire. All were arrested on suspicion on firearms offences. In October 2023, detectives discovered a constructed hide buried in a hedgerow on agricultural land on the Monog Road area of Crossmaglen. What the PSNI are describing as a "significant" quantity of weapons and ammunition were discovered within the manmade hide. The investigation that followed involved HMRC and Lincolnshire Police.
PSNI District Commander for Newry, Mourne and Down, Superintendent Norman Haslett said he is confident police "disrupted the activities of criminals within the south Armagh area", The two men arrested in South Armagh are due to appear before Newry Magistrates Court this morning. The 69-year-old man arrested in Grantham in Lincolnshire has been released on police bail to allow for further enquiries. As is usual procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the PPS.
