The scene after the firebomb attack last Christmas in Belfast city centre
A dissident plot to launch a firebomb plot to hit major stores in Northern Ireland in the run-up to Christmas has been foiled by Gardai.
The Gardai's Special Detective Unit raided premises in County Louth on Tuesday, recovering a number of firebombs which they said were "sophisticated and elaborate".
Three senior republicans were arrested by Gardai during the raid.
One of the men, in his 50s, is suspected of being an experienced bomb maker who made bombs for the Provisional IRA during The Troubles.
It has been reported that the arrests were the result of an ongoing surveillance operation, with Gardai working in conjunction with the PSNI.
Last year a Belfast city centre shop in Cornmarket was attacked with a firebomb which ignited, leading to a street to be closed and the shop evacuated.
