The Director of Public Prosecutions failed today in his bid to have prison sentences increased on two men, including a man being sued in connection with the 1998 Omagh bomb, who were jailed after gardaí discovered a major bomb making operation near the border.

A SUSPECTED republican dissident, arrested by armed detectives, was carrying a loaded handgun when he was picked up on a Cork street.

Three men were jailed by the Special Criminal Court in Dublin today after a major garda operation against the Continuity IRA led to the discovery of a bomb making operation near the border last year.

The head of the Garda National Surveillance Unit told the Special Criminal Court in Dublin today he was involved "in a sensitive operation" during his observation of two men accused of membership of an illegal organisation.