Two men arrested in dissident republican probe

Two men have been arrested as part of a garda operation targeting dissident republican activity in Co Cork.

Armed gardai were involved in the operation which spanned various locations around the county.

One of the men was arrested after a vehicle was stopped by gardai.

Investigators also searched an area of forest and adjoining land in follow-up searches and the second man was stopped and arrested.

The two men, both aged in their 40s, are detained in Cork city garda stations under the Offences Against the State Act.

Other searches were carried out at eight homes across Cork City.

Gardai from the special detective unit, the dog unit and the air support unit were also involved in the operation.

A garda spokesman said a number of items of evidence were recovered and investigations are ongoing.