EIGHT MEN were arrested and four pipe bombs, a handgun and ammunition discovered during a series of Garda searches in Tipperary last night.
The planned operation, targeting individuals involved in drug distribution and organised crime involved 15 searches, which were conducted in houses by the Tipperary divisional search team.
In one of the searches in Lacken on the outskirts of Tipperary Town pipe bombs, ammunition and a handgun were found.
Army explosive experts attended the scene last night. Controlled explosions were carried out on three of the devices while a fourth was made safe and is to be examined by gardai.
The handgun and ammunition were also removed for technical examination.
Eight males ranging in age from their early twenties to mid thirties were arrested and detained at Tipperary and Thurles Garda stations under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. One of the detainees is due to appear at Youghal District Court today while the other seven have been released on bail and are due to appear at Tipperary District Court next Wednesday.