Read More: Man arrested in Scotland over Northern Irish policeman's murder
Read more: Northern Irish policeman murdered in dissident bomb attack in Omagh
Detectives in Northern Ireland have arrested a second man in connection with the murder of Catholic policeman Ronan Kerr in Omagh last weekend.
The arrest was made early on Thursday morning, less than 24 hours after the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the GAA were united in grief at Kerr’s funeral.
Dissident Republicans have been blamed for Kerr’s horrific killing after he was blown up by a car bomb as he prepared to depart for work last Saturday.
The first suspect, a 26-year-old man, was arrested in Scotland on Monday and the second, a 40-year-old male, was apprehended on the road between Omagh and Ballygawley early on Tuesday morning after police intercepted a car.
Thursday’s arrest followed the discovery of a large cache of firearms, munitions and explosives in Coalisland on Tuesday night.
Police in Antrim are questioning both men about the Kerr murder and the arms find at a Coalisland garage when officers uncovered a collection of rifles, detonators and explosives.
PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Drew Harris said: “The discovery on Tuesday night will form lines of inquiry into Ronan’s murder and into terrorist activity generally.
“Inside the unit police officers discovered a number of stolen vehicles and, inside those vehicles, a significant amount of arms and munitions.
“The find included four Kalashnikov-type rifles, ammunition, timer power units, detonators, incendiary bombs, components for rocket launchers and other explosive devices, and a quantity of explosives, possibly Semtex.
“The find is “one of the most significant in recent years.”
The weapons have been fast-tracked for forensic examination as the PSNI appealed for more information in relation to the Kerr murder case.
“Expressions of sympathy and condemnation are welcome but we need more. We need information,” said Harris.
Read more: Northern Irish policeman murdered in dissident bomb attack in Omagh
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