Four Arrested As Mortar Find Closes M1

Four men have been arrested after an explosive device was found in a car in Co Louth.

The device, described by police as a viable mortar, was made safe by Irish Army bomb disposal experts at around 10.30pm on Tuesday.

The discovery - near Dundalk - was part of an operation by police investigating the activities of dissident republicans.

It has since emerged that two of those arrested are from Northern Ireland, while two others are thought to be from Dundalk.

The M1 motorway was closed in both directions while a bomb disposal team carried out what was described as "a technically difficult task that took over four hours" after the Gardaí discovered that the mortar in fact "posed a significant threat to the public".

It has since been revealed that, in a follow up search, a second suspect device has also been discovered near Dundalk.

A police statement this morning explained: "As the result of an ongoing operation targeting dissident republicans, Gardaí last night stopped and searched a car travelling Northbound on the N1, North of Dundalk, at 9.30pm.

In an operation carried out by the Special Detective Unit assisted by local Gardaí - the car was stopped by an Emergency Response Unit.

"A mortar type device was discovered in the car and as a consequence the services of an Army EOD team was requested and the device was then rendered safe.

"Two men were arrested at the scene, both in their 20s, and another man in his 30s was arrested nearby," said the Gardaí.

"In a follow up operation a property was searched in Drumiskin and another man in his 30s was arrested.

"A number of items were seized in this search and are subject to technical examination," the police continued.

The four arrested men are being detained in Drogheda, Balbriggan and Santry Gardaí Stations under section 30 of the Offences Against The State Act.

(BMcC/KMcA)