The Army's explosive ordnance disposal team dismantled a bomb in a milk churn a short distance from the Border in Co Cavan, last evening.
It is believed the bomb, a 56lb home made device plus "booster charge", was being prepared by republicans for an attack on the security forces in Northern Ireland. Garda sources said yesterday it appears that anti-Belfast Agreement republicans were intending to carry out an attack in the North to coincide with political talks due to take place this week over the latest impasse in the peace process.
The bomb was discovered by gardai on Sunday night in a field in the townland of Clonoula, a mile off the concession road between Cavan and Clones. It is about 500 yards inside the Republic.
Gardai believe the would-be bombers telephoned a hoax bomb warning in Clones on Sunday night as part of an effort to divert gardai away from the search for the bomb at Clonoula.
There are a number of Continuity IRA figures in the Cavan/Fermanagh area. Garda sources said yesterday this group was working in tandem with the larger "Real IRA" group which was responsible for the Omagh bombing on August 15th, 1998.
The "Real IRA" has been responsible for about 13 attacks in the North and three bomb attacks in London so far this year. It carried out a similar number of attacks last year.
In recent months it has had a change in leadership and is now understood to be led by a man who lives in Co Louth, north of Dundalk close to the Border.
Sources say the organisation has made considerable advances in constructing bombs and has perfected a system of using mobile telephones for remote control detonation.
It is believed the bomb discovered by gardai, was being prepared for detonation on a roadway as police or soldiers were passing.
The Army explosives team is expected to finish its operation to clear the bomb some time today.