Gardaí have arrested two men in Co Laois as part of a cross-border terrorism investigation.
The men were arrested by local gardaí who stopped a car in the Portlaoise area yesterday and seized a number of items.
The men, aged in their 30s and 40s, are being detained at garda stations in the region under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.
The Special Detective Unit, which deals with security issues to the State, took over the investigation.
Gardaí say they are working closely with the Police Service of Northern Ireland on the investigation.
During searches in Northern Ireland, a number of items including electronic devices were removed for examination.
Assistant Commissioner Michael McElgunn, of the Garda National Crime and Security Intelligence Service, said gardaí are committed to "identifying, assessing and countering security threats to our communities".
He said the operation "demonstrates the close working relationships An Garda Síochána has with our colleagues in the Police Service of Northern Ireland to investigate and interdict threats across the island of Ireland, keeping people safe".
