Ulster Unionist Party Justice Spokesperson Tom Elliott has welcomed the successful operation by the Garda at the weekend in which comb components were seized in Monaghan town.
Mr Elliott said;
“I very much welcome the actions of the Garda which resulted in the seizure of components including 200 kg of fertiliser, which could have been used to construct a massive bomb.
This is the latest in a number of incidents in recent weeks which have proved that violent republicans remain determined to inflict pain and suffering on the wider community.
We have had a murder in Belfast and a number of pipe bomb attacks on the Police, not to mention security alerts at a number of locations.
The PSNI have continued to perform their duties with the utmost professionalism and the support which they receive from the Garda is heartening. The Police in the Republic have also enjoyed a great deal of success in seizing weaponry and disrupting the activities of those republicans who still have not got the message that Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom and is not going anywhere.
Questions do arise however with regard to the use of Provisional IRA tactics and weaponry by the current brand of physical force republicans. Where is this weaponry coming from and who has supplied the training? It is a fact that many within our community are convinced that mainstream republicans continue to play a significant role in assisting with those still wedded to violence.”