Firearm seized and arrests made in Dublin following 'kidnapping' in Belfast
Vehicle stopped and seized following 'containment operation' on M50
Four men are in garda custody after they were arrested by armed gardai in connection with an alleged kidnapping in Belfast.
Gardai say a "containment operation" was put in place on the M50 on Thursday night they were alerted to reports of an abduction by their colleagues in the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
"A car was intercepted on the M50 at Junction 4 (Ballymun) shortly before 10pm by armed garda units," confirmed a spokesperson.
"Four adult males, occupants of the car, were arrested at the scene for alleged offences under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997. A firearm, subject to technical and ballistic examination, was recovered from the vehicle," they added.
The four men are currently detained under the provisions of Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007, at garda stations in the Dublin region.
Gardai have also confirmed that another man who was in the car had earlier been reported missing from Belfast.
He was found "safe and well" and An Garda Síochána say they continue to liaise closely with the PSNI.
Investigations are ongoing.