PSNI ‘aware of’ masked men images

Police in Northern Ireland are seeking information after images were published online of masked and armed men purporting to be members of the Continuity IRA patrolling near Cavan-Fermanagh border.

The photographs, believed to be taken earlier this month, were allegedly shot near Wattlebridge, a site where a bomb exploded only last year.

The Head of PSNI’s Terrorism Investigation Unit previously pointed the finger of blame at members of Continuity IRA for the explosion on August 19.

It occurred when PSNI members were conducting a clearance operation with the support of Army Technical Officers and colleagues from An Garda Síochána following the earlier discovery of a barrel-type object nearby. While the clearance was underway, a separate device exploded in the area of the Cavan Road at its junction with the Wattlebridge Road.

The explosion was later described as deliberate attempt to “murder” British forces attending the scene.

It was the first such incident in the local area in more than 20 years when, in July 1989, the IRA bombed the border shop and filling station belonging to Kenneth North near Wattlebridge.

Photos

Along with posing in military fatigues with weapons, the recent photos, first published in a Belfast newspaper, also purport to show shots being fired by masked men armed with handguns from Galloon graveyard near Wattlebridge also.

First Minister Arlene Foster condemned the actions. “There is no place for any form of terrorism or paramilitary group in our society,” she said.

“It was never acceptable or justified in the past and neither is it today.”