Armed gardaí continue searches after Louth arrests
The Minister for Justice has congratulated the Gardaí on their latest operation targeting dissident republicans.
Dermot Ahern said he took the threat from such groups "very seriously".
Five men were arrested in Co Louth, it is believed on suspicion of trying to move explosives. Gardaí have not confirmed the explosives link today.
Searches by armed gardaí are continuing in the north Louth area. Three cars were seized following last night's operation in the Omeath area of Co Louth.
There are reports shots were fired at officers from the Emergency Response Unit when gardaí stopped the cars. No one was injured.
Gardaí will not confirm whether the men were transporting explosives, nor the intended target of the dissident group.
The seized cars are undergoing technical examination.
All five arrested men are being held in garda stations in Drogheda, Dundalk, and Balbriggan, where they can be questioned for up to three days.
