Chief constable welcomes 'significant' explosives find

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has welcomed the seizure of suspected explosive material by police in the Republic of Ireland.

Gardaí (Irish police) said component parts and suspected explosive material were seized following a search in County Louth on Thursday.

Two men, aged in their 50s and 20s, have been arrested following the seizure, which Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly described as "a particularly significant find".

"We will continue to work closely with An Garda Síochána as part of our shared commitment to counter the threat posed by dissident republican groups," Boutcher said in a statement.

"This excellent police work has prevented serious harm or loss of life," he added.

Boutcher described the seizure as "significant".

"This excellent police work has prevented serious harm or loss of life," he said.

Gardaí said the arrests and seizure come as part of a long-running investigation involving the force's counter-terrorism unit and special detective unit.

The Irish Defence Force also assisted with the search operation.

The two arrested men are being held under the Republic of Ireland's Offences Against the State Act.

"This is a particularly significant find," Kelly said, adding it demonstrates "the important work carried out by Garda national security personnel every day to protect people on this island".

"It also shows that we must continue to degrade and dismantle the threat from those who are intent on destroying peace by harming others."

Kelly added: "I have been in contact with the PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher this morning and our close co-operation in relation to countering dissident groups continues."