Gardaí are investigating whether the seizure of guns and ammunition in County Kildare over the weekend was linked to the darknet.

Three young men were arrested following the seizure on Saturday and are now due in court this morning.

On Saturday morning, armed Gardaí and officers from the National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau stopped a car in the Kildare area.

A G3 battle rifle seized by Gardaí in Kildare. Image: An Garda Síochána

Officers discovered an M1911 handgun, a G3 battle rifle and 40 rounds of ammunition in the car.

Gardaí are now investigating whether the weapons were bought online via the darknet.

Ammunition seized by Gardaí in Kildare. Image: An Garda Síochána

Three men aged 19, 20 and 21 years old were arrested and were taken to Garda stations in Kildare for questioning.

They are now due to appear before Naas District Court later this morning.

The Garda investigation is ongoing.