Two men arrested and weapons seized after intelligence operation in Co Kerry

The two men, one in his 50s and one in his 20s, were arrested under the provisions of Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.

Both arrested men are being detained in a Co Kerry Garda Station. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Explosive components, firearms and munitions have been recovered and seized in a targeted operation this morning in South Kerry. The operation is live and ongoing.

The garda operation led by the Special Detective Unit and involving members of the Kerry Garda Division and the army got underway in the Sneem area of Co Kerry, in the early hours of this morning. 

The planned raid has uncovered what is understood to be a large cache of armaments and explosives.

A large garda presence remained at the rural location still for most of Saturday. 

The two men have been arrested and are being questioned at Killarney Garda Station.

In a statement this evening the Garda Press Office said: "As a result of an intelligence led operation by the Special Detective Unit (SDU) and Gardaí from the Kerry Division with the assistance of members from the Irish Defence Forces, a number of searches were conducted, today, Saturday 27th March, 2021 in County Kerry.

"As a result of these searches explosive components, firearms and munitions have been recovered and seized.

"As part of this operation two (2) males one (1) in his fifties and one (1) in his twenties, were arrested under the provisions of section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act. 

"Both men are currently detained at Garda Station in the Kerry Division.

"The operation is live and ongoing."