Thursday 5 November 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 0066Possession of explosives · Co. Louth · 23 Oct 2026

Two men arrested over explosives in Carlingford, Co Louth

On 23 October 2026, two men, one in his 50s and one in his 20s, were arrested during a Garda counter-terrorism operation in Carlingford, Co Louth. The Special Detective Unit seized suspected explosive material and component parts, assisted by a Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal team. The operation was part of a long-running investigation into dissident groups. Both men are detained at Garda stations in the north-east under the Offences Against the State Act, 1939. Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly called the seizure a particularly significant find, and PSNI confirmed co-operation in countering dissident groups.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested23 Oct
    5 reports
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Two men, one in his 50s and one in his 20s, were arrested during a Garda counter-terrorism operation.
  • Suspected explosive material and component parts were seized during the search.
Where
The operation took place in Carlingford, Co Louth.
When
The operation took place on 23 October 2026.
Cause
The operation was part of a long-running investigation by the Garda Special Detective Unit into dissident groups.
Investigation
A Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal team assisted the search and was examining the scene.
Charges
Both men are detained under the Offences Against the State Act, 1939.
In court
Both men are detained at Garda stations in the north-east of the country.
Other details
  • Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly described the seizure as a particularly significant find.
  • PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said the operation prevented serious harm or loss of life.
  • The Garda Commissioner confirmed co-operation with PSNI in countering dissident groups.
35 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA Garda operation is underway in Louth as part of a long-standing investigation. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatTwo people have been arrested and are being detained at Garda stations in the north-east under the Offences Against the State Act. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatSuspected explosive material and component parts were seized during a Garda counter-terrorism operation in Louth. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatOne man in his 50s and another in his 20s were arrested. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatTwo men were arrested in a counter-terrorism operation in Carlingford, Co Louth. (rte.ie)
  • whatThe Special Detective Unit seized component parts and suspected explosive material. (rte.ie)
  • whatThe two men arrested were aged in their 20s and 50s. (rte.ie)
  • whatGardaí arrested two men and seized explosives in Co Louth. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatComponent parts and suspected explosive material were seized in the search. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe Garda Special Detective Unit is involved in the operation. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • investigationA Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal team is at the scene in Louth. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • investigationFurther details are expected to be released following an examination by the EOD team. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • investigationA Garda Special Detective Unit operation is under way in Co Louth. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationA Defence Forces EOD team is attending the scene. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationTwo people were arrested in connection with the inquiry. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe two people are detained in Garda stations in the north-east of the country. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe EOD team is carrying out an examination at the scene. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe operation was part of a long-running investigation by the Special Detective Unit. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • investigationThe search was assisted by a Defence Forces EOD team. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • investigationThe search was assisted by the Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal team. (rte.ie)
  • investigationGarda Commissioner Justin Kelly described the operation as part of a long-running investigation. (rte.ie)
  • investigationThe Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal team assisted the search. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe operation was carried out by the Garda counter-terrorism unit, the Special Detective Unit. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe Garda Commissioner said he had been in contact with the PSNI Chief Constable about co-operation on countering dissident groups. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe two people are detained under the Offences Against the State Act. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtBoth men are detained at Garda stations in the north-east under the Offences Against the State Act, 1939. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtBoth men were detained at Garda stations in the northeast under the Offences Against the State Act, 1939. (rte.ie)
  • courtBoth men are being detained at Garda stations in the northeast under the Offences Against the State Act, 1939. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherNo further information about the nature of the operation or the circumstances surrounding the arrests has been released. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherGarda Commissioner Justin Kelly described the find as particularly significant. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe Commissioner confirmed co-operation with PSNI in countering dissident groups. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherGarda Commissioner Justin Kelly called the seizure a particularly significant find. (rte.ie)
  • otherPSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said the operation prevented serious harm or loss of life. (rte.ie)
  • otherKelly confirmed close co-operation with PSNI in countering dissident groups. (rte.ie)
  • otherOne man is in his 50s and the other is in his 20s. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 23 Oct2026
    Arrestedirishtimes.com, its first report
    Gardaí arrest two men and seize explosives, with assistance from army bomb squad

    Initial report of the arrest and seizure; no charges or court proceedings yet reported.

    suspect, 50s, malesuspect, 20s, male
  2. 23 Oct2026
    Arrestedrte.ie, its first report
    Louth arrests as counter-terror gardaí seize explosives

    First report of the counter-terrorism search and arrest operation in Carlingford. Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly and PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher both commented on the operation, which was described as part of a long-running investigation into dissident groups.

    suspect, 20s, malesuspect, 50s, male
  3. 23 Oct2026
    Arresteddundalkdemocrat.ie, follow-up
    Two men arrested after suspected explosive material seized in Louth

    Original report of the arrest operation. Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly described it as a 'particularly significant find' and confirmed co-operation with PSNI in countering dissident groups.

    suspect, 50s, malesuspect, 20s, male
  4. 23 Oct2026
    Arrestedirishmirror.ie, its first report
    Garda operation in Louth as two arrested in long-standing investigation

    Confirms the two arrests are part of a long-standing investigation, that the suspects are detained in Garda stations in the north-east under the Offences Against the State Act, and that a Defence Forces EOD team is examining the scene with no further details released at this stage.

    suspectsuspect
  5. 23 Oct2026
    Arresteddundalkdemocrat.ie, first report
    Garda operation underway in Louth as two people arrested

    Initial report of a Garda operation in Louth with two arrests under the Offences Against the State Act; EOD team on scene; no specific charges or names given yet.

    suspectsuspect