Gardaí say they fear that the centenary of the 1916 Rising will be used by dissident republicans as a recruitment tool for new members.

A sample of arms, explosives and ammunition seized by gardaí in the past two years has been put on display to remind the public of the ongoing threat of dissidents.

Semtex, rocket launchers and AK47s are just some of the items discovered around the country.

Detective Sergeant Tom Carey holds a rocket, similar to the ones used by Hamas, as gardaí show samples of weapons seized | Image: RollingNews.ie

While attacks rarely take place in the South, gardaí say there are a number of groups of dissidents active in the State.

It was also revealed that gardaí stopped attacks during visits here by British royals in recent years.

AK 47 machine guns on display as gardaí show samples of weapons seized | Image: RollingNews.ie

Assistant Commissioner John O'Mahony says 2016 is of particular concern to the force.