Three charged with possession of explosive substances

Three men have been charged with possession of explosive substances and firearms at the Special Criminal Court this morning.

The men were arrested in relation to dissident republican activity during several raids on Thursday and Friday.

Two of the men - 45-year-old Joseph Mooney with an address at Cullina, Kilmeaden, Co Waterford and 64-year-old Desmond Brennan are both charged with possession of explosive substances under Section 4 of Explosive Substances Act.

The third man, 27-year-old Joseph O'Brien, is charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.

All three men are remanded in custody to reappear before the Central Criminal Court on Thursday next.

A fourth man is due to be charged later this afternoon.