Army bomb squad examines suspected New IRA hideout after extensive Garda operation

A bomb-disposal team from the Irish Defence Forces is currently examining a location in County Louth that authorities believe was used by the New IRA. The site was discovered after a lengthy surveillance operation conducted by the Garda National Crime and Security Intelligence Service, involving its National Surveillance Unit, Emergency Response Unit, Special Detective Unit and the Garda Security Service. The Garda Special Detective Unit confirmed that two individuals, one in his 20s and another in his 50s, were arrested and are being held in Garda stations in the north-east under the Offences Against the State Act.

The operation is described by a senior security source as a significant disruption to terrorist activities. Officials indicated that additional information will be provided once the Explosive Ordnance Disposal examination is finished. This follows previous arrests and the seizure of a large bomb in County Monaghan last July, also linked to the New IRA.