Police in Northern Ireland have been given more time to question nine people arrested yesterday as part of a major investigation into the activities of the dissident republican group referred to as the New IRA.
The investigation included a major surveillance operation stretching back several months, involving the British security service MI5.
The seven men and two women, aged between 26 and 50, were arrested in a series of early morning raids by the PSNI in counties Derry, Armagh and Tyrone.
They are being questioned under the Terrorism Act at Musgrave PSNI station in Belfast.
Gardaí also carried out searches in Cork, Dublin, Laois and Kerry as part of the joint operation.
It is understood gardaí are seeking to locate a number of individuals south of the border, who are also wanted for questioning.
Security sources have described Operation Arbacia as one of the most significant investigations of its kind in recent years.
In a tweet, Northern Ireland Secretary of State Brandon Lewis said: "This was a significant operation and represents a positive step towards maintaining lasting peace in Northern Ireland."
Under the Terrorism Act, the PSNI could initially question the suspects for 48 hours from the time of their arrests at around 5am yesterday.
Detectives this afternoon went to a special court hearing in Belfast and asked for a five-day extension.
Part of the hearing was held "in camera", with no lawyers for the suspects present.
But the application was strongly contested by the defence lawyers and the judge instead agreed to a three-day extension.
If detectives want more time they will have to go to court again on Saturday afternoon.
Solictor Ciarán Shiels of Madden & Finucane is representing one of the Derry men.
He confirmed that "following an application by the PSNI to detain the nine suspects for a further period of five days since their arrest yesterday, Judge Pat Lynch QC would only permit an additional 72 hours to question the detainees without judicial intervention after defence lawyers strongly objected to the manner in which the PSNI has been conducting interviews of the suspects thus far.
"Interviews will continue later tonight and the court will resume at 2pm on Saturday to consider any further time in police custody."
