Army bomb disposal team examines suspected New IRA hide in Co Louth

An Army bomb disposal team is on site examining a “terrorist hide” uncovered during a counter‑terrorism operation in County Louth, Garda Headquarters said.

The discovery follows a lengthy surveillance operation by the Garda National Crime and Security Intelligence Service (GNCSIS), which is understood to be focused on the New IRA. The GNCSIS, based at Garda Headquarters, led the operation with involvement from its National Surveillance Unit, Emergency Response Unit, Special Detective Unit and the Garda Security Service.

Garda Headquarters confirmed that the Special Detective Unit is conducting an on‑going operation in the Louth area and that two men – one in his 20s and another in his 50s – have been arrested and are detained in Garda stations in the north‑east under the Offences Against the State Act.

A senior security source described the raid as “very significant” and an “important disruption” of terrorist activity. The operation follows previous arrests and the seizure of a large bomb in County Monaghan last July, also targeting the New IRA.

Further details will be released after the Army EOD team completes its examination.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: Tosin Superson / Pexels.