Joined-up response required to tackle cross border crime gangs - Clarke

Responding, the South Antrim MLA said:

‘‘Whilst in policing operations in the Republic of Ireland are a matter for the Gardaí, it would be careless to ignore the significance of this weapons haul for communities blighted by organised crime in Northern Ireland.

The fact that this operation was intelligence-led, targeting individuals engaged to firearms trafficking, should raise concern within the PSNI about where these weapons were destined for and whether cross-border crime gangs were set to benefit for their illicit activities.

Given the increasing number of seizures in South Armagh in the last eighteen months, with alleged links to the Provisional IRA and other major criminal empires, it is important that the Chief Constable uses all of the tools and processes at his disposal to increase and improve cooperation with the Irish authorities and ensure there is a joined-up response to the threat posed by those intent on bringing guns and bullets onto our streets.’’