'Significant' seizure of guns and ammunition in Louth
The guns were seized as part of an operation targeting organised crime
- Published
Police in the Republic of Ireland have seized 18 firearms and about 900 rounds of ammunition in County Louth.
The guns were seized on Friday as part of an ongoing intelligence-led operation targeting organised crime.
Gardaí (Irish police) carried out a search of a premises in Ardee at about 14:00 local time.
They seized six AR-15 assault rifles and 12 semi-automatic 9mm handguns.
Approximately 900 rounds of 9mm and .223 ammunition were also discovered and seized.
'Maim, kill and intimidate'
Assistant Commissioner for Organised and Serious Crime, Justin Kelly, said it was a "particularly significant" seizure.
"These would have undoubtedly been used to maim, kill and intimidate those in communities across Ireland," he said.
A number of follow-on searches were later carried out at several properties in the county.
Two men in their 30s were arrested on suspicion of participation in the activities of a criminal organisation to facilitate firearms trafficking.
Both men are currently detained at a Garda Station in Louth.
Assistant Commissioner Kelly said: "Weapons such as those seized by Gardaí today are the lifeblood of organised criminal groups - who often use violence as part of their drug trafficking operations.
"I wish to commend the dedication of all the Gardaí involved in this operation. Operations like todays demonstrate our determination to make Ireland a hostile environment for organised criminal groups to operate,” he added.