The State will not seek a retrial in the case of a Louth man who had one of his two convictions for IRA membership quashed by the Court of Criminal Appeal last year.

New charges were brought at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin today against three Co Louth men who already face charges in connection with dissident terrorist activity in the north east.

A father-of-five accused of possessing a firearm and of IRA membership was refused bail today.

Five men were brought before the Special Criminal Court in Dublin this afternoon charged in connection with an investigation into dissident republican activity in the Louth area.