Two arrested after Dublin gardaí recover replica firearm

Two men have been arrested following an incident in North Dublin.

It happened at around 9.30pm last night.

Gardaí were called after a number of men reportedly wearing balaclavas were seen acting suspiciously at the rear of a house on Clare Road just off Griffith Avenue.

During a follow-up search in the grounds of a nearby church on Griffith Avenue, gardaí arrested a man and recovered what is described as a replica firearm along with a balaclava and gloves.

A second man was also arrested and a car with false registration plates was seized near to the scene.

The two men - both aged in their 40s - are being detained under section 30 of the Offences against the State Act at Ballymun Garda Station.

A technical examination of the scene is currently underway.