Suspects in bomb seizure due in court

Three men are due to appear before the Special Criminal Court in Dublin tomorrow following the discovery and seizure of a suspected bomb near the border on Sunday.

As part of an ongoing operation into the activities of dissident republicans, a number of vehicles were stopped in the area of Kilcurry, north of Dundalk.

Five men aged from their mid-fifties to mid-seventies were arrested at the scene and the army bomb disposal team was called to ensure the device was safe. It is understood the device was contained in a beer keg.

The suspects were taken to Drogheda and Dundalk garda stations where they were held for questioning. Gardai believe they foiled a major security threat.

The operation was carried out by members of the special detective unit and crime and security unit.

Three of those men, aged 37, 38 and 44, are due to face charges in relation to the incident at a sitting of the Special Criminal Court tomorrow morning. The other two men have been released from custody and a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).