Gardaí were carrying out a major security operation yesterday as they searched for three men who fled from a checkpoint at Cooladawson near Stranorlar at around 7pm on Tuesday night.

One 49-year-old man, understood to be a well-known republican from the Lifford area, was arrested about an hour later close to Letterkenny. Three other men who were in the car fled across fields. A firearm was also recovered a the car was taken away for examination.
The arrested man was being held at Letterkenny Garda Station last night under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.

A source said the group was on the way to carrying out a shooting when they were stopped.

The Garda press office said the man was arrested after a number of men were seen acting suspiciously.

Checkpoints were set up yesterday near the border as searches continued for the other three men. It is understood gardaí are investigating a dissident republican link to the incident.

Locals said the Garda operation continued into the early hours of Wednesday morning and involved a helicopter searching the countryside. Officers called at homes advising owners to secure their property as the search for the three men continued.

Letterkenny Superintendent Vincent O'Brien said gardaí are looking for the help of the public in the Cooladawson, Gortlettragh, Cavan Lower, and Ruskey areas between Stranorlar and Convoy.

"We are looking for three men who took to the fields following a garda checkpoint yesterday evening. We would appreciate any assistance with regards to sightings of individuals near fields or outhouses or if people have noticed anything suspicious," he said.