Detectives investigating the killing of convicted extortionist Nicholas O'Hare have displayed some of the powerful weapons and ammunition they suspect were dumped by members of his gang.
Gardai in Dundalk have repeated that a number of people had motives to kill O'Hare. However, the belief that the INLA may have killed him appeared to be gathering momentum yesterday.
The Irish Republican Socialist Party, the political wing of the INLA, has denied O'Hare was a current member and said he had been dismissed some time ago for "nefarious activities" and for bringing the organisation into disrepute.
On Tuesday night gardai involved in a routine operation discovered the cache of arms and ammunition in a hedge in the Cox's Demesne area of the town.
The find included two sawn-off double-barrel shotguns, two cartridge belts with 25 cartridges in each, and a further 51 cartridges in a hold-all. More than 400 .22 calibre bullets, 75 blank 9mm bullets and 19 9mm bullets were also discovered, along with 15 220/250 high-calibre bullets.
"They appear to have been moved from a house and we get the impression some people may be nervous," said one Garda source.
Gardai also found three wigs and a fake beard, possibly used as disguises, indicating the gang's motives were more criminal than paramilitary. Some of the ammunition recovered were dumdum bullets which have hollow points with a cross cut into them, making the bullet explode on impact, which can result in horrific injuries.
O'Hare was shot dead in the town last weekend by two gunmen. He had been the prime suspect behind the recent killing of Dundalk publican Mr Stephen Connolly who had refused to pay protection money to O'Hare's gang.
O'Hare's funeral Mass was held in Belfast on Tuesday.