GARDAÍ BELIEVE they have prevented a mortar attack on the security services in the North, following the arrest of eight suspected dissident republicans and the seizure of bomb-making equipment, a firearm and ammunition.
Gardaí searched 15 properties in Longford, Clare, Wexford and Waterford.
The search and arrest operation also uncovered what gardaí believe is a mortar launching pad.
It was found in a property in Co Longford and detectives are working on the theory it was to be moved north of the Border shortly for a terrorist attack, probably on a PSNI station.
The men arrested yesterday were being detained last night after a day-long operation at 15 sites across the four counties. The operation was led by the Special Detective Unit, which investigates terrorism.
The suspect arrested in Co Clare is regarded as the senior figure of the group and is in his 60s. A search of the property linked to that man yielded nitric acid, piping and bomb-making paraphernalia.
The most significant find was made at a house in Longford, with gardaí discovering what they believe to be a mortar launching pad and other items associated with bomb-making.
A suspected dissident republican linked to that address was not at the house when the find was made and he is not one of the eight men under arrest.
Most of yesterday’s activity was in Co Waterford, where five of the eight suspects were arrested.
Two brothers, aged 26 and 29, were arrested in Tramore and are being held at the local Garda station.
A 30-year-old man is being held in Dungarvan, while a suspect in his 40s is being held in Waterford Garda station.
The fifth man detained in Waterford is in his 20s and was arrested in Ferrybank. He is also being detained at Waterford Garda station.
There were two further arrests in Wexford, after a Magnum revolver and a large amount of ammunition were found.
The suspects are being held in Enniscorthy Garda station and are aged 27 and 57.
All eight arrested are being detained under section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act on suspicion of membership of an unlawful organisation and unlawful possession of firearms and explosives.
They can be held for up to 72 hours without charge.
Yesterday’s operation followed a lengthy surveillance period on a group of suspected dissidents whom gardaí believe were directly or indirectly supporting and giving logistical assistance to dissident terrorist cells in the North.
The Special Detective Unit was assisted yesterday by uniformed and armed gardaí from the divisions where the searches took place.
Members of the Garda Technical Bureau were also involved in examining some of the properties where the weapons and bomb-making components were found.
Garda sources said they expected some of the men to appear before the courts as early as today.
