Four men arrested today in connection with the discovery of loaded guns in their car were today reported to be members of a Provisional IRA gang.
Three automatic pistols and a number of baseball bats were found during a gardaí search of the men's vehicle at a checkpoint near Mitchelstown, Co Cork at 9.20 p.m.
The four, three aged in their mid-20s and one aged 40, are being held and questioned at four different police stations in Co Cork.
It has been reported they may be members of the Provisional IRA.
A Garda spokeswoman said: "Last night, uniformed gardaí at a checkpoint stopped a car which was travelling from the Dublin direction. The car had four male occupants.
"One of the gardaí noted what appeared to be a small firearm on the floor of the car.
"There was then a total search and three firearms and other items were recovered.
"The four were arrested at the scene and are being held under section 30 of the offences against the state act in garda stations in Co Cork."
Under the legislation, detectives can apply to detain the men for up to 72 hours, when they must be released or charged.
The gardaí are not willing to speculate on the men's motives. The weapons recovered during the search are reported to be in pristine condition.
One of the four suspects is understood to have served a prison sentence in the 1980s for IRA activities.
Sinn Fein chairman Mitchel McLaughlin, speaking soon after the reports of the IRA links, said he had no knowledge of the incident.
He told RTE radio: "It is my view that the IRA position in relation to their cessation is rock solid.
"You are asking me to comment on something I know nothing about."
PA