Three men are to appear before the Special Criminal Court this morning in connection with dissident republican activity.

The men aged their mid 20's to late 30's were arrested in the early hours of Saturday morning in Rathkeale in county Limerick.

They were arrested when members of Emergency response and special detective units stopped and searched a car and found a firearm and ammunition.

The men are being held under section 30 of the offences against the state act.