Two Irish nationals have been arrested in a "sting" operation in Lithuania on suspicion of trying to buy a significant quantity of arms and explosives for the Real IRA.
Michael Campbell (35) and Fiona Duffy, understood to be his partner, and both from Co Louth, were detained in the Baltic state on suspicion of trying to buy arms and explosives for the Real IRA.
They were arrested on Tuesday afternoon at a lock-up garage in the capital Vilnius and appeared in court yesterday. The pair can appeal their detention while a case file is prepared.
Irmantas Mikelionis, deputy head prosecutor of Vilnius, said Mr Campbell had been remanded in custody for three months and Duffy for a fortnight.
"They are accused of trying to get arms, munitions, guns and explosive material and they are accused also of being supportive of a terrorist group."
He told Reuters: "We are talking here not so much about firearms, but more about explosives . . . A large quantity means more than 10kg."
He said if tried and convicted they could face up to eight years' imprisonment for trying to buy weapons and up to 10-20 years in jail if they were found guilty of "supporting a terrorist group".
It was reported that Lithuanian police had set up bogus negotiations with the suspects and that other European police and security services were involved.
A senior Garda representative told The Irish Times last night the force "was aware of the arrests" and stood ready to provide help and assistance in the case to the authorities in Lithuania.
Mr Campbell is understood to be a brother of Liam Campbell, who is one of the five names mentioned in a civil action being mounted by the relatives of those killed in the Real IRA bombing of Omagh in 1998 in which 29 people were murdered. "Officers of the state security department and the defence ministry's special unit carried out an anti-terrorist operation which was aimed at preventing the purchase of illegal arms and explosives," the Lithuanian prosecutor general's office said.
It said the people detained were also suspected of supporting the Real IRA.
The investigation is expected to run for at least another six months before they are brought to trial.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has been made aware of the arrests.
A spokeswoman said officials were monitoring the situation closely but no request for consular assistance had been made. - ( Additional reporting by PA)