Eight now held in Real IRA inquiry

Detectives were today due to continue questioning six suspected Irish republican dissidents and two men detained following an anti-terrorism operation at a disused pig farm.

The latest person to be arrested was a 19-year-old man detained under the Terrorism Act in North Lincolnshire shortly after 5pm yesterday.

He was picked up as part of an ongoing anti-terrorist operation at a disused pig farm in West Ardsley, near Leeds.

Another man, aged 25, was arrested on Saturday shortly before 3pm at the Woodall services on the M1 in South Yorkshire in connection with same incident and held under the Terrorism Act.

Detectives have until this afternoon to charge him or apply to magistrates to detain him further.

Officers and an Army bomb squad began searching the disused pig farm last Thursday as part of an investigation into an 18-month Real IRA bombing campaign in Britain.

A series of controlled explosions were carried out after about 20 residents in Batley Road were evacuated from their homes

The six suspected republican dissidents were arrested last Thursday as part of a ‘‘lengthy investigation’’ into dissident Irish republican terrorist groups.

The group are aged between 20 and 40. One is thought to be Irish, while the rest are believed to be from England.

Five were arrested at addresses in London and one in Liverpool.

On Friday magistrates in London granted a three-day extension for officers to continue questioning the 6pm today.

If they are not charged with an offence officers can apply to extend their time in custody.

Under the Terrorism Act detectives can ask for extensions up to a total of seven days.