Gardaí have arrested seven men following an operation targeting a potential blackmail and extortion plot in Co Cavan.
On Sunday afternoon, gardaí in the Cavan district acted on information received and conducted a number of stop and searches after identifying four cars in the area.
A stop and search of the first car led to the arrest of its occupants, two men aged in their 20s, under Section 15 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.
A search of the second car resulted in the discovery of a number of balaclavas. The three male occupants of the car, all aged in their 30s, were arrested under Section 15 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.
A search of the third car resulted in the discovery of a number of concealed firearms and ammunition. The only occupant of the vehicle, a man in his 40s, was arrested under Section 15 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.
A fourth vehicle was stopped and searched and the only occupant, a man in his 30s, was arrested under Section 15 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.
All seven men are currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at Ballyconnell and Cavan Garda stations.
Gardaí said a number of mobile phones and other items have been seized, and the investigation is ongoing.
