Three men arrested as part of an investigation into dissident republican activity have appeared before the Special Criminal Court. They were taken in for questioning after officers swooped on a van carrying a homemade bomb at a church in Co. Louth.

A team from the Special Detective Unit in Harcourt Square arrested the men in Kilcurry, Co. Louth on Sunday evening.

They were taken in for questioning after officers intercepted a van packed with 50 kilos of homemade explosives in the car park of the local church.

A total of five men - ranging in age from mid 50s to early 70s - were arrested but two have since been released without charge.

William Burns of Ardoyne in Belfast, Gareth Mulley of Aisling Park, Dundalk and David Gallagher of Marley Court in Drogheda were charged with IRA membership and the unlawful possession of explosives.

All three were brought before the Special Criminal Court today. Following his arrest, the court was told that Mr. Burns told gardai he did not know it was explosives in the van.

There was no application for bail today and the three men were remanded in custody to appear before the court via video link next week.