The British government today promised a major crackdown on dissident republican terrorists linked to a mortar bomb find in Derry.

One man was arrested and a number of homes were evacuated in the city after police discovered the device in the staunchly nationalist Bogside area.

Police chiefs have linked the Mark 16 horizontal mortar and launching tube seized from a garage of a house in Elmwood Avenue to rogue republicans opposed to the peace process.

Amid fears that the Real IRA and Continuity IRA are about to mount a new bombing campaign across Northern Ireland, British Security Minister Jane Kennedy said: “It’s important to remember these people are enemies of the peace process.

“But we are determined they will not succeed and we are determined to face them down,” she told BBC Radio Ulster.

Police Service of Northern Ireland Inspector Brian Hume described the find as extremely significant.

He said: “We suspect it was dissident republicans operating within the city.

“Most definitely lives have been saved. This is an extremely deadly device and would definitely have caused serious injury, if not death, if used.”
“Most definitely lives have been saved. This is an extremely deadly device and would definitely have caused serious injury, if not death, if used.”

Fears of further dissident republican attacks in Derry have been high since the Real IRA murdered construction worker David Caldwell at a Territorial Army base just outside the city in August.
Around 10 houses were evacuated after the seizure last night.

Residents were put up in an assembly hall at St Cecilia’s School in Bligh’s Lane.

The find was welcomed by the nationalist SDLP leader Mark Durkan.

The Foyle Assembly member said: “The weapons find and other recent weapon seizures are a welcome development.

“Those who stored this mortar device showed no regard for people living in the area.

“Measures which take these weapons of destruction out of use should be welcomed.”