Irish police discover explosive device in vehicle near border

Irish police announced Friday the discovery of an explosive device in a vehicle near the border with Northern Ireland, an operation targeting "dissident republican activities." Officers intercepted the vehicle on Wednesday, arresting a woman in her twenties, and later apprehended a man in his forties. Public broadcaster RTÉ, citing police sources, reported the device was intended for a car bombing in Northern Ireland, a British territory. "This is an extremely significant seizure," said Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly on Friday. "It was an explosive device that could have caused considerable damage." Kelly emphasized that "any seizure of this nature is really concerning." Northern Ireland experienced a three-decade conflict between republicans, who sought reunification with Ireland, and unionists, who supported remaining in the United Kingdom, until the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. This pact included paramilitary group disarmament, but dissident factions persist. "A small minority of these individuals, whom I would describe as radicalized republicans, remain active, and it is a threat that we will continue to face for some time to come," the commissioner concluded.

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This is an extremely significant seizure. It was an explosive device that could have caused considerable damage.