Suspected Continuity IRA man in custody

A MAN arrested on suspicion of being a member of the Continuity IRA was still being questioned by gardaí in Limerick last night.

The man in his 30s, who is also being questioned about allegedly importing arms, is being detained at Henry Street Garda Station.

He was arrested in the city at 1.30pm on Wednesday. A garda spokesman confirmed that his period of detention was yesterday extended by another 24 hours.

Gardaí have been concerned about the importation of arms from gangs in Britain with the aid of the Continuity IRA. These weapons have been used in the gang feud in Limerick.

They believe the suspect being detained is not directly involved in the feud, which has already claimed three lives in the city.

This latest arrest is part of a garda crackdown on dissident republican activities and criminal activity in the city.

Meanwhile, the anti-terrorist branch of the London Metropolitan Police is still questioning the three Englishmen arrested in Morcambe, Lancashire, last Sunday. It is reported that one of the men is related to a leading member of the Continuity IRA in Limerick.

Gardaí and Scotland Yard are trying to establish if two handguns and a rifle discovered when the three men were arrested in a commercial premises were destined for a Limerick gang.