Five Held Over Dissident Activity

A total of five arrests have been made as part of an operation investigating dissident republican activities in County Louth.

Gardaí have revealed that as part of their ongoing investigation into the activities of dissident republicans, two arrest operations were carried out, one in Dundalk and one in Ardee, which resulted in the arrest of five men and the discovery of ammunition and a balaclava.

Two of the men were arrested in Dundalk town while another three were arrested in the Ardee area of Co Louth yesterday.

At approx 11.25am a car was stopped and searched by the Emergency Response Unit, supported by local Gardaí, on Ecco Rd Dundalk. The firearm and balaclava were located during the course of the search.

Two men in their mid 20s and mid 30s were arrested and are currently being detained in Dundalk Garda Station under the provisions of Section 30 Offences the State Act 1939 as amended.

In Ardee a car was stopped and searched by the Emergency Response Unit at approximately 11.35am. Three males aged range from early 30s to mid 50s were arrested. Two are being detained in Drogheda and one in Balbriggan Garda Station under the provisions of section 30 Offences Against the State Act 1939.

(DW)