Five men are still being held following their arrest in Co Louth in an ongoing Garda operation targeting dissident republican activities.
Two men are being held in Dundalk, two in Drogheda and another in Balbriggan under Section 30 of the Offences against the State Act after they were arrested on Saturday night.
According to reports shots were fired at detectives during the incident in the Omeath area of Co Louth. A Garda spokesman could not confirm other reports that the men were transporting explosives.
The five were travelling in three cars when they were stopped and detained. The vehicles seized in the operation are being forensically examined.
Gardaí searched a number of properties in north Co Louth yesterday. It is believed a legally held firearm was found.
Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern said he was briefed by Garda Commissioner Fachnta Murphy today on the operation. “I congratulated the gardaí on their work and their professionalism in at times difficult circumstances,” he said.
“I continue to take the threat from dissidents very seriously and we are working closely with the security services in the North. The gardaí and the Police Service of Northern Ireland are working very closely together, as is evidenced by what unfolded in the last 24 hours.”