Gardaí quiz 10 suspected dissidents over attempted extortion of drug dealers

GARDAÍ are questioning 10 suspected dissident republicans after foiling an attempted extortion bid on drug dealers.

In one of the largest arrests of terror suspects, officers from the Special Detective Unit (SDU) swooped on 10 men in a north Dublin estate on Thursday night.

The gang, members of the Continuity IRA, had called to the homes of two drug dealers in the Balbriggan area at about 9.30pm and had demanded between €40,000 and €50,000 from each under the threat of death.