A ninth man has been arrested this morning as part of a major investigation into dissident republican activities.
The man, who is in his 20s, was arrested late last night in Co Longford and is being held under section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act at Longford Garda station.
Eight other men are still being questioned today following the seizure of bomb-making equipment, a firearm and ammunition during a major operation yesterday.
Speaking in Brussels, Minister for Justice Alan Shatter welcomed the Garda operation against the dissidents, saying it was clear the munitions seized were intended to cause death and destruction.
"This intervention by the Gardaí undoubtedly has saved lives," he said on the sidelines of an EU meeting. "As far as this Government is concerned we will not tolerate any self-elected group trying to use our State as a safe haven to restart and reignite conflict in Northern Ireland."
Gardaí believe they have prevented a mortar attack on the security services in the North after the find which occurred during a search of 15 properties in Longford, Clare, Wexford and Waterford.
The operation was led by the Special Detective Unit, which investigates terrorism.
The investigation 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 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 was not one of the eight men placed under arrest yesterday.
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 yesterday 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.
