Guns and bomb-making equipment found in Dublin dissident-republican searches

Gardaí have recovered a number of arms in raids on a number of locations in the Dublin area, targeting dissident republicans.

Detectives' from the Special Detective Unit assisted by members of the Emergency Response Unit have carried out a number of strategic searches over this weekend.

The searches were the result of an ongoing intelligence led investigation by the garda Crime and Security section and the Special Detective Unit.

Gardaí searched premises in Ballymun, East wall and the Cloughran areas of Dublin. A number of semi automatic pistols, a sawn-off shotgun and an AK 47 assault rifle were discovered during the searches.

Gardaí also discovered bomb-making material at one of the locations, where the assistance of the Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team was sought in order to render the area safe. A controlled explosion was also carried out.

The scenes have being examined by the Garda Technical Bureau.

This operation is the latest in a number of seizures and arrests against dissident republicans this year.

A senior garda detective at the scene has described the latest seizures as very significant and a major setback against the criminal and subversive activities of dissident republican.

Two men in their 50s were arrested during this investigation and are both currently detained under the provisions of Section 30 of The Offences Against the State Act, one at Mountjoy and one at Coolock Garda Station.