Four men arrested after explosive device found near ballymahon

Four men were arrested last night after an improvised explosive device was found in a vehicle at Forgney, near Ballymahon.
As part of ongoing investigations into dissident republican activity gardai attached to the Special Detective Unit and Crime and Security Section arrested four men, ranging in age from late 20s to late 40s on last night (Wednesday) following the discovery of a suspected improvised explosive device in a vehicle on the R392 at Forgney. An army bomb disposal team later confirmed the device was viable and rendered it safe.
The Defence Forces deployed the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team after the suspect device was found by Gardaí. A cordon and road closures were in place for public safety.
The team arrived on scene at 9.11 pm. The viable device was made safe at the scene without the need for a controlled explosion.
Items of an evidential nature have been handed over to the Gardaí to assist them with their investigation. The scene was declared safe at 10.35pm last night.
The four men arrested are currently detained at Garda stations in county Longford under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939 as amended.
A house that was searched in a follow up search has been preserved for a technical examination.
Investigations are continuing.