Updated 13:05

Gardaí believe they foiled a gangland murder in Dublin yesterday afternoon.

Investigators are continuing to question two men after they found a loaded gun in a car on the Howth Road at around 5pm yesterday.

The men, aged 25 and 28-years-old, are being held at a north Dublin Garda station - where they can be held for up to three days.

It is believed the seizure may be linked to the ongoing gangland feud in the capital.

The pair were arrested close to the home of Gerry ‘the Monk’ Hutch, although he’s believed to be overseas.

They are understood to have links with the Kinahan crime gang and Gardaí believe the intended target was a member of the Hutch gang.

The location of the arrests is a short distance from the home of Gerry 'the Monk' Hutch in Clontarf - but it is believed he is overseas.

The gangland feud - which erupted following the murder of Gary Hutch in Spain - has claimed up to 18 lives.

Assistant Garda Commissioner John O’Driscoll said the suspects were arrested "while in possession of a fully loaded hand gun in circumstances where it is suspected that there was an intention to murder.”

Assistant Commissioner O'Driscoll said Gardaí are "determined to identify every member of organised crime groups who are a threat to the life of others and to target them for arrest and prosecution.”

With reporting from Stephanie Grogan ...