Two arrested on suspicion of membership of violent right-wing extremist group

The two men were arrested following a major surveillance operation by Garda security services, working in conjunction with the PSNI.

Gardaí have arrested two men on suspicion of membership of a violent right-wing extremist organisation.

The arrest follows the discovery of four suspect devices across the border in Annalong, Co Down, by the PSNI.  

The discovery and arrest have been seen as a significant, but not unexpected, development in Garda Headquarters, given the deteriorating climate of hatred and violence from the far right towards asylum seekers and foreigners.

The two men, aged in their 40s and 30s, were arrested following a major surveillance operation by Garda security services, working in conjunction with the PSNI.

They were arrested by the Special Detective Unit (SDU) — the force’s operational anti-terrorism unit — following a vehicle stop in Co Laois on Wednesday.

They are being detained on suspicion of membership of an unlawful organisation under the Offences Against the State Act 1939.

This suggests the two men are suspected of being part of an actual organisation, believed to be a relatively new violent far-right extremist organisation.

The numbers in the organisation are understood to be small.

PSNI officers recovered four suspected improvised devices at the scene in a search carried out on Wednesday night. During the operation, a number of local residents were evacuated from their houses, and they have since returned to their homes.

It is understood that the Garda National Crime & Security Intelligence Service has been putting additional resources into preventing and investigating the possible emergence of a violent far-right organisation in Ireland.

Various units, including the SDU, have been on a heightened “state of alert” for such a development, not least given the escalation of violence and arson attacks directed at asylum seekers.

One of the lines of inquiry is to establish the possible intended use of the suspected IED and whether or not asylum accommodation could have been targeted.

Digital devices linked to the two men arrested are currently being examined.

Garda National Crime & Security Intelligence Service Assistant Commissioner Michael McElgunn said: "An Garda Síochána is committed to identifying, assessing and countering security threats to our communities. 

"This ongoing operation demonstrates the close working relationships An Garda Síochána has with our colleagues in the Police Service of Northern Ireland to investigate and interdict threats across the island of Ireland, keeping people safe.”

Meanwhile, the Irish Examiner understands that the SDU are supporting the investigation into the arson attack on an Ipas centre in Drogheda.