Two men held in dissident republican investigation

Two men have been arrested in the Republic of Ireland during a two-day operation by gardaí (Irish police) into dissident republican activity.

The men, both in their 40s, were arrested in County Cork on Monday.

One man was detained when a vehicle was stopped, and the second was stopped and arrested during follow-up searches in an area of forest and adjoining lands.

Both men are currently being detained under section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.

Monday's operation was assisted by the garda regional armed support unit.

Eight homes across Cork city were searched during follow-up searches on Tuesday, and police said they seized a number of items of evidential value.

That operation was assisted by a special detective unit, the garda dog unit, and the garda air support unit.

Police say investigations are ongoing.