Spy devices found on Tyrone man’s car

High-tech bugging equipment has been found in a car owned by a senior County Tyrone republican. The suspected listening device and tracker were recently discovered in the Cappagh area by the former political prisoner.

The man, who did not want to be named, said he believes the devices were fitted to his vehicle by MI5 (British military intelligence) or the PSNI police.

The equipment is among the most sophisticated ever discovered in the north and was found fitted to a rear wheel arch of the car by several powerful magnets.

The suspected listening device appears to consist of a transmitter and an external microphone. The equipment has the capacity to monitor conversations inside and out-side the vehicle. The device was attached to 12 long-life batteries which were taped together.

A tracking device was discovered under the opposite wheel arch. As well as having a serial number, the second device also had a series of letters scraped into its casing and appeared to be battery- powered.

During the height of the conflict the Cappagh area was a major IRA stronghold, and it continues to be a strong republican area.

The owner of the car said republicans continue to be closely monitored in County Tyrone.

“As republicans in this area we are being monitored by drones, high-tech sophisticated cameras and listening devices,” he said. “We are asked to accept and endorse the PSNI and MI5 while their dirty tricks department are working on a daily basis to monitor republicans and their families, while our former colleagues in Sinn Fein are asking us to endorse the British military strategy which for years was used to kill republicans.”

Urgent Appeal