Two men arrested as gardaí uncover suspected terrorist hide in Co Louth

The Garda Security Service, the intelligence wing of the GNCSIS, is also understood to have been involved.

Gardaí have uncovered a suspected “terrorist hide” and arrested two men in a major counter-terrorism operation in Co Louth.

It is understood that the investigation is focused on the New IRA and follows a previous operation targeting the dissident group last July.

The investigation is being led by the Garda National Crime and Security Intelligence Service (GNCSIS), based at Garda Headquarters.

Last night’s operation involved key units within the service, including the highly secretive National Surveillance Unit, the elite Emergency Response Unit and the Special Detective Unit, the service’s main operational section.

The Garda Security Service, the intelligence wing of the GNCSIS, is also understood to have been involved.

Suspected hide uncovered

Gardaí are understood to have carried out a lengthy surveillance operation in an area of Co Louth before a search and arrest team moved in and discovered the suspected “terrorist hide”.

Details of what was found at the hideout are not yet known, and examinations are understood to be under way.

Two men, aged in their 20s and 50s, were arrested.

They are being detained under the Offences Against the State Act at garda stations in the north-east.

A senior security source described the operation as “very significant” and an “important disruption” of terrorist operations.

The arrests and seizure follow separate arrests and the seizure of a large bomb in Co Monaghan last July, in an operation that also targeted the New IRA.