Five arrested in probe into dissident republican activity

FIVE men were arrested in Cork yesterday as part of a Garda investigation into dissident republican activity.

In a planned operation, officers from the Special Detective Unit, Cork division, targeted homes across the city.

The anti-terrorist squad was assisted in the operation by the Regional Support Unit, which is trained and armed to deal with potential firearm situations.

At 7am, the joint team searched a number of locations and arrested five men.

The men, three aged in their 40s, one in his 20s and one in his 50s, were arrested.

They were taken to stations at Mayfield, Gurranabraher and Togher for questioning.

They are being detained under the provisions of section 30 of the Offences against the State Act, 1939.

This allows for an initial period of detention of 24 hours, which can be extended for a further 24 hours on the orders of a superintendent.

An additional 24 hours in custody can be sought on application to the courts.

Meanwhile, more charges were brought yesterday in relation to an investigation into dissident republicans in Dublin.

Ten men were arrested by the Special Detective Unit in the operation last Thursday.

One of the 10 was charged last Sunday at the Special Criminal Court and was remanded in custody to Portlaoise Prison.

Yesterday, a second man was charged at the Special Criminal Court.

The remaining eight men have been released without charge, but garda investigations are continuing.

The 10 were arrested after gardaí were called to suspicious activity in an estate in the Balbriggan area of north Dublin on Thursday night.

Neighbours had seen a large group of men congregating on the streets, some of them wearing balaclavas.

A large number of officers from the Special Detective Unit arrived at the scene and arrested the 10 men and brought them in for questioning.