GARDAÍ in Cork have arrested three men, and seized two firearms, as part of an ongoing investigation into the activities of dissident republicans here.

The arrests come just one week after the brutal murder of prominent Real IRA member Aidan O'Driscoll.

Gardai, however, say the three men, who are aged in their mid-30s to late 40s, have not been detained in connection with the murder – they have been detained for questioning about dissident republican activities in the Cork area.

The raid took place last night when Gardai carried out a planned search of a premises in Cobh shortly before 8pm.

Gardai seized two firearms and ammunition they found on the premises and arrested three men under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.

This means they can detain the suspects for up to 72 hours.

Two of the men are being held at Cobh Garda Station, while the third is being held at Midleton Garda Station.

Gardaí declared the house a crime scene and Garda technical experts have begun a forensic examination of the building.

Meanwhile, officers are also interviewing a woman who is thought to have dropped some of the men to the house in a car.