Two men have been arrested after a firearm was recovered during an operation in County Laois.

The discovery was made before 6pm when a car was stopped and searched on the M7 Dublin to Limerick Road near Mountrath.

A firearm and a number of suspicious devices were seized.

The Army EOD are at the scene which is currently being preserved.

A man in his 40s and a second man in his late teens were arrested at the scene.

Both are being detained at Portlaoise Garda Station.