Ireland Two men arrested in Cork as gardaí find suspected Real IRA members at woodland dugout
On 11 March 2025, armed gardaí from Crime Special Branch in Cork, backed by the Armed Support Unit, arrested two men during searches in Carrignavar, north of Cork city, where suspected Real IRA members were reportedly meeting at a woodland dugout. One of the men, suspected to be a leading member of the group, was found emerging from a ditch, is believed to have resisted arrest, and was treated in hospital for injuries. Both men were detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, follow-up searches were carried out at eight residences in Cork City, and gardaí expect further arrests, as of the 12 March 2025 report. Gardaí are also exploring a possible Real IRA link and suspect the group forces drug dealers in Cork to pay protection money, while sources say it has been involved in at least two murders of dealers who refused to pay.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrested11 Mar
2 reports - Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Gardaí arrested two men in Cork during searches in countryside near Cork city on 11 March 2025.
- Armed gardaí reportedly found suspected Real IRA members meeting at a purpose-built bunker or camouflaged dugout in the woodland.
- Where
- The operation took place in the Carrignavar area, north of Cork city, in a large woodland.
- When
- Gardaí received information that the group was meeting at the site, and the operation began the evening before the first report was published.
- The group was seen approaching the site early in the morning.
- Investigation
- The operation was run by Crime Special Branch in Cork and backed by the Armed Support Unit.
- The second man was stopped and arrested after a follow-up search of a forest area.
- Gardaí are exploring a theory that the men are linked to the Real IRA.
- Follow-up searches were carried out at 8 domestic residences across Cork City.
- Sources say gardaí expect further arrests.
- Other details
- The arrested man suspected to be a leading member was found emerging from over a ditch, is believed to have resisted arrest, and was treated in hospital for injuries sustained when he fought with gardaí.
- Cause
- Gardaí suspect the group forces drug dealers in Cork to pay protection money, and sources say it has been involved in at least two murders of dealers who refused to pay extortion money.
- Charges
- The two men were detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act and can be held for up to three days; the sources do not report any charge.
- Weapon
- Guns were initially thought to be present at the bunker, while gardaí believe items of evidential value were found there.
21 statements extracted from the articles
- whatGardaí arrested two men as searches were carried out in countryside near Cork city. (thejournal.ie)
- whatArmed gardaí found suspected Cork Real IRA members meeting at a purpose-built bunker or camouflaged dugout in a large woodland. (thejournal.ie)
- whatTwo men were arrested in Cork. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe operation took place in the Carrignavar area, north of Cork city. (thejournal.ie)
- whereGardaí in Cork received information that the group were meeting at a site in a woodland in Carrignavar. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe operation began the evening before the article was published. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe group was spotted approaching the site early in the morning. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationOne theory being explored by gardaí is that the men are linked to the Real IRA. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationThe operation involved gardaí from the Crime Special Branch in Cork and was backed up by the Armed Support Unit. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationThe second man was stopped and arrested after a follow-up search of a forest area. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationFollow-up searches were carried out at 8 domestic residences across Cork City. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationThe men have been detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act and can be held for up to three days. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationGardaí believe items of evidential value were found in the bunker, though guns were initially thought to be present. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationSources say gardaí expect further arrests and carried out searches. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeThe two men are detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act. (thejournal.ie)
- otherA garda statement confirmed the operation and the arrest of the two men. (thejournal.ie)
- otherOne of those arrested is suspected to be a leading member of the gang. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe leading member was found emerging from over a ditch and is believed to have resisted arrest. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe arrested leading member was treated in hospital for injuries sustained when he fought with gardaí. (thejournal.ie)
- otherGardaí are suspected of believing the gang forces drug dealers in Cork to pay protection money. (thejournal.ie)
- otherSources say the gang has been involved in at least two murders of drug dealers who refused to pay extortion money. (thejournal.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 12 Mar2025Gardaí arrest leading member of Real IRA gang and discover group gathering near woodland dugout
Reports the arrests in detail, including that armed gardaí found suspected Real IRA members meeting at a woodland dugout in Carrignavar, and sets out the gang's suspected extortion and murders.
suspect, malesuspect, male - 11 Mar2025Gardaí arrest two men in Cork during major operation targeting 'dissidents'
Adds that the men were detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, that gardaí are exploring a Real IRA link, that the operation was run by Crime Special Branch with the Armed Support Unit, and that follow-up searches were carried out at 8 residences in Cork City.
suspectsuspect