Six held in dissident investigation

Six people remain in custody in connection with an ongoing Garda investigation into the activities of dissident republicans

Six people remain in custody in connection with an ongoing Garda investigation into the activities of dissident republicans

They were among 10 people arrested over the weekend in counties Louth, Waterford and Wexford.

Two men appeared at a special sitting of the Special Criminal Court in Dublin yesterday on charges related to dissident activity.

Peter Butterly (33), of Cortown, Togher, Dunleer, Co Louth, was charged with membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA, on October 8th.

Nicholas Kendall (20), of Row Street, Wexford, was charged with the unlawful possession of a 9mm Smith and Wesson semi-automatic pistol and nine rounds of ammunition at Cortown, Togher, Dunleer, Co Louth on Friday.

He was also charged with the unlawful possession of a component part for a timing power unit used in an improvised explosive device at The Forge car park, Lower Main Street Dunleer on October 8th.

Det Gda Dominic Berry of the Special Detective Unit gave evidence of arresting Mr Butterly at Santry at 12.25pm yesterday. He said that when cautioned Mr Butterly replied: "No comment.''

Det Gda John Feeney of the Special Detective Unit gave evidence of arresting Mr Kendall at Griffith Avenue in Dublin at 12.35pm yesterday. When cautioned after his arrest, he replied: "No comment".

The court remanded both men in custody until Tuesday when bail applications are expected to be made.

Two other men arrested over the weekend have been released without charge.