Weapons seized in dissident republican probe

Six vehicles, guns and ammunition and components of an explosive device have been seized in an ongoing probe into suspected dissident republican activity, gardaí said today.

The raids in counties Louth and Monaghan were carried out over the last two days after the arrests of five men in Ardee and Dundalk town.

Local divisional units assisted by officers from the Emergency Response Unit (ERU) searched a number of properties and vehicles and recovered a number of items, including a handgun and a shotgun.

The haul is being examined by ballistics and forensics experts.

Meanwhile, detectives are continuing to question the five men who were arrested yesterday morning after two cars were stopped and searched.

The first vehicle was pulled over close to the border on Ecco Road in Dundalk.

Officers found a firearm and balaclava during the search, and two men were arrested at the scene.

Shortly afterwards, three men were arrested when a second car was stopped and searched in Ardee.

The ERU also discovered ammunition and a balaclava in the vehicle.

The men, who range in age from mid 20s to mid 50s, were taken to Dundalk, Drogheda and Balbriggan garda stations.

They can be held for up to seven days under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.