Four men were arrested today as part of a major police operation against dissident Republicans in Northern Ireland.
They were detained when officers searched a number of houses in the Lurgan area of Co Armagh.
All four are suspected of having links with the Continuity IRA.
The arrests followed warnings by the Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde
Today's arrests followed warnings by the Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde and the Northern Ireland secretary, Shaun Woodward, that the threat by dissident Republicans is as high as at any time over the last five years.
It is understood that no weapons were found during initial searches today, but the arrests confirmed growing fears that Republicans opposed to the peace process are becoming increasingly active.
Earlier this week, a 22-year-old pizza delivery man, Emmett Shiels, was shot dead by dissident Republicans belonging to the INLA.
One man has been questioned by police about that murder, but today's arrests are unconnected with that investigation.
PA
