Arrested man is former leading activist

ONE of seven suspected dissident republicans arrested in a series of swoops earlier this week is a former senior member of the Provisional IRA who was released under the arrangements of the Good Friday Agreement.

The seven were still being held last night by detectives in Munster investigating the activities of the Real IRA. Five were picked up in Cork and two in Limerick.

They are being held under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act and can be held for a maximum of 72 hours. Their period of detention was extended yesterday morning.