Gardaí investigating an attempt to blow up a house at Little Island in Co Cork early today believe the attack was part of an extortion racket by the Real IRA. They are continuing to question four men, who are aged from their late teens to their early 20s.
The four were arrested following a garda operation in Cork which is part of a wider investigation into the activities of dissident republicans in the area.
It is understood the arrests were made after a van packed with containers of petrol was driven up to a house at Little Island, Co Cork, just after midnight and set alight. The van exploded and burst into flames.
A number of houses in the area were evacuated as fire crews from Cork city and Cobh dealt with the blaze. Nobody was injured.
Two of the four men were arrested at the scene while two others were arrested a short distance away in a follow-up operation. They are being questioned at Togher and Mayfield garda stations in Cork City.
Gardaí completed their forensic examination of the scene this afternoon before removing the burnt-out van for further examination.
