French search in dissident probe

Police from Northern Ireland are assisting a search in France

A search is continuing in France in relation to an operation targeting dissident republicans, the police have said.

Ten people in Northern Ireland were arrested over what police described as a conspiracy to buy weapons on Monday.

A man and woman were released without charge on Tuesday.

Police said a handgun, explosive material and other bomb making items were found in searches on Lettergreen Road, Donagh, County Fermanagh.

There were raids in counties Armagh and Fermanagh, which saw 200 police officers - backed by soldiers - search eight premises.

Those still detained are being held at a centre in Antrim.

Police said the searches were part of a joint investigation "between the PSNI Crime Operations Department and the British Security Service" and had "disrupted a potential major terrorist conspiracy".

On Tuesday the PSNI said officers from the Crime Operations Department were continuing to assist French police carrying out a search.