Dissident republicans are believed to have dumped 48 incendiary devices in waste-ground near a Dundalk housing estate, fearing they would be discovered in Garda searches.
The cassette-type devices were found by children playing in Cox's Demesne estate in Dundalk, Co Louth, shortly before 8 p.m. on Monday. Local gardai were alerted, and Army bomb disposal experts from Dundalk barracks examined them at the scene and declared them safe. The devices were taken to Garda headquarters in Dublin to be examined by the Garda Ballistics Department.
Slightly smaller than video cassette tapes, the devices are commonly used to firebomb shops and commercial premises, and could also be used to burn out vehicles. Garda technical experts said they could be easily slipped into clothes or upholstery in shops.
Ballistics expert, Det Insp Edwin Handcock, described them as extremely sophisticated in their manufacture, but extremely easy to use. They had been made using Perspex hot-glued together to form a cassette with two compartments.
One compartment contained the electronic circuit used to time the device, with two separate "on-off" switches. The words "arm" and "on", "off" typed in plastic labels were glued beside these switches.
The second compartment contained the incendiary charge, brown powder wrapped in plastic, which appeared to be a home-made mix of incendiary material designed to burn intensely for up to 12 minutes. Insp Handcock said it appeared the devices had not been abandoned for a long period, as they were clean and appeared dry. Separate battery-holders, which used ordinary 1.5 volt household batteries, could be attached to a battery-jack, similar to those found in smoke alarms and other household electronic devices.
The devices, even without batteries, were extremely dangerous, Insp Handcock said. "Even though they're highly sophisticated, a simple lighted match, or cigarette ash, would set them off."
Those who would plant the devices, as firebombs, would simply have to "push two `on-buttons' and then walk away", he said. The second "on" switch appeared to be designed as a double safety feature for those carrying the devices to their intended target. i in the technical bureau will examine the haul to compare it to similar devices seized, and the remains of other firebombs used in attacks. Technical experts have seen up to seven versions of the device, which is primarily designed to start a fire. The electronic circuit, plastic casing and switches would all be manufactured by an expert bomb-maker, to make the device as simple to use as possible. "You won't get the people who made these planting them. These are used by the foot-soldiers, trying to get up the ladder."
