Five men have been arrested following the discovery of a loaded firearm and ammunition last night.
The men (aged 18,19, 28, 30 and 46) were detained during a planned search targeting organised crime shortly after 5pm last night in the Celbridge and Lucan areas.
Gardaí from the Organised Crime Unit were assisted by members of the Emergency Response Unit for the search.
It is understood a number of known figures from Dublin's criminal underworld were among those detained.
The men are currently being held at Newbridge, Lucan and Leixlip garda stations under the provisions of Section 30 Offences Against the State Act.