Men arrested in cross-border terrorism-related investigation due in court

The two arrested men are due to appear before Portlaoise District Court on Friday

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Gardaí have charged two men as part of a cross-border terrorism-related investigation. 

The men, aged in their 30s and 40s, were arrested on Wednesday by gardaí who stopped a car in Co Laois. 

They are suspected of being members of a violent right-wing organisation.

The garda Special Detective Unit, which deals with security issues to the State, then took over the investigation.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), with whom An Garda Síochána are working with on the investigation, later seized a number of items for examination, including some electronic devices, during follow-up searches.

Speaking on Thursday, Assistant Garda Commissioner Michael McElgunn said gardaí are 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," he said.

The two arrested men are due to appear before Portlaoise District Court at 10.30am on Friday.