Fourth arrest in cross border terror investigation which began in Laois

A fourth arrest has been made by Gardaí conducting a cross border terrorism related investigation which began when two men were arrested in Portlaoise last month. 

The investigation began when Laois Gardaí attached to the Drugs Unit arrested two men aged in their 30s and 40s and discovered a number of suspicious items at O’Moore Place, Portlaoise on November 5. 

An Garda Síochána Special Detective Unit took over the investigation and contacted the PSNI who carried out follow up searches in Northern Ireland.

On November 12, a third man was arrested in Portlaoise as part of the investigation. The man was later released without charge. His arrest prompted Sinn Fein to expel a female member of the party who was known to the man. Both the man and woman had been signed into the Dáil by Senator Maria McCormack during the summer. Sen McCormark issued a statement after the arrest condemning right wing activity following the arrest.    

READ MORE: Laois Senator had 'no knowledge whatsoever' of Garda concerns  

Gardai said on Tuesday afternoon, December 16, they arrested a fourth male in Co Limerick as part of this cross border terrorism related investigation.

The male, aged in his 30s, was detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939 at a Garda Station in the midlands. He has since been released without charge and a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The investigation continues to be led by An Garda Síochána Special Detective Unit.