Fears growing that Provo guns are now in the hands of south Armagh crime gang

One weapon found among Crossmaglen cache was stolen in burglary within last three years

A weapon discovered by police during searches near Crossmaglen in October 2023

Ciaran Barnes

Police believe Provisional IRA weapons that were not decommissioned ended up in the hands of a south Armagh crime gang.

An admission about how one of the 10 guns found by the PSNI in a specially-adapted hide in Crossmaglen was stolen during a recent burglary has heightened these concerns.