Ireland Two men arrested over suspected explosives in Carlingford, Co Louth
On 23 October 2026, two men, one in his 50s and one in his 20s, were arrested in Carlingford, Co Louth during a Garda Special Detective Unit counter-terrorism operation. Suspected explosive material and component parts were seized during the search, which was assisted by a Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal team. The operation was part of a long-running investigation into dissident groups, with confirmed co-operation between An Garda Síochána and the PSNI. Both men are detained at Garda stations in the north-east under the Offences Against the State Act, 1939. Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly described the seizure as a particularly significant find, and PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said the operation prevented serious harm or loss of life.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrested23 Oct
5 reports - Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Two men, one in his 50s and one in his 20s, were arrested in a Garda counter-terrorism operation in Carlingford, Co Louth.
- Suspected explosive material and component parts were seized during the search.
- Where
- The operation took place in Carlingford, Co Louth.
- When
- The arrests and search took place on 23 October 2026.
- Investigation
- The operation was carried out by the Garda Special Detective Unit as part of a long-running investigation into dissident groups.
- A Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal team assisted the search and was examining the scene.
- Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly confirmed co-operation with the PSNI in countering dissident groups.
- Charges
- Both men are detained at Garda stations in the north-east under the Offences Against the State Act, 1939.
- 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.
- No names or further details about the circumstances of the arrests have been released.
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- 23 Oct2026Gardaí 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 - 23 Oct2026Louth 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 - 23 Oct2026Two 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 - 23 Oct2026Garda 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 - 23 Oct2026Garda 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