Armed gardaí rescue man being held at gunpoint in car on the M50 motorway

The four arrested men are currently detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007, at garda stations in the Dublin Region. File Picture: Farrell/RollingNews.ie

Armed gardaí have rescued a suspected kidnap victim being held at gunpoint and arrested four men on the motorway outside Dublin.

On foot of information received from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) in relation to a report of kidnap in Belfast, gardaí say they instigated a "managed-containment operation" in Dublin on Thursday evening. 

Shortly before 10pm, armed officers intercepted a car on the M50 at Junction 4 Ballymun. 

A man, who had earlier been reported missing in Belfast, was found safe and well inside the car. 

The car's four other male occupants were arrested at the scene for alleged offences under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997. Gardaí also recovered a firearm from the vehicle. 

The four arrested men are currently being held under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007, at garda stations in the Dublin Region.

A spokesperson said that An Garda Síochána continue is continuing to liaise closely with the PSNI about the incident, and that further updates would follow.