Gardaí have arrested five men in Co Louth following an operation in which a suspected bomb was found.
It is thought the device was going to be transferred over the Border for a potential attack on security forces.
The arrests took place in the Kilcurry area of Co Louth last night as part of ongoing investigations into dissident republican activity.
Gardaí from the Special Detective Unit and the Crime and Security Unit took part in the operation.
It is understood that a number of vehicles were being stopped close to the Border by armed personnel when the men in question were detained and the suspect device uncovered.
In a statement, gardaí said: “During the course of this operation five men were arrested ranging in ages from early 70s to mid-50s.
"They are detained at Drogheda and Dundalk Garda stations under the provisions of Section 30 Offences Against the State Act. A suspect device was recovered during this operation."
The device is currently being examined by the Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal team.
