Dublin: Man reported kidnapped in Belfast found by armed police

A man who had been reported kidnapped from Belfast was found in a van stopped by armed police in north Dublin on Thursday night.

Gardaí (Irish police) said they intercepted the van on the M50 motorway at the Ballymun junction shortly before 22:00 local time.

Four men who were in the van were arrested and a gun was recovered.

Gardaí said they were contacted by police in Northern Ireland after a report a man had been kidnapped.

Irish police said the man had been found "safe and well" in the van.

The four men who were arrested remain in custody.

Gardaí said that investigations were ongoing.