FOUR men have been arrested as part of an investigation into the activities of on-ceasefire republican paramilitary group Óglaigh na hÉireann (ÓNH).
The men, aged 46, 50, 52 and 55 were arrested by PSNI officers from the Terrorism Investigation Unit after searches of residential properties in west Belfast yesterday.
A 33-year-old was also reported to the Public Prosecution Service as part of the investigation and for the alleged offences of belonging to or professing to belong to a proscribed organisation and wearing clothing or having articles as a member or supporter of a proscribed organisation.
The three men aged 55, 46 and 33 were this morning released following questioning.
The 52-year-old remains in custody this morning.
The arrests come just over three weeks after masked and armed members of ÓNH took part in a republican commemoration in west Belfast on Easter Sunday.
During the commemoration a masked member of the group, which called a halt to its armed campaign in 2018, read out a statement.
It is believed that up to four masked men were present, with at least two understood to be armed.
It has been speculated that the weapons may be have been manufactured using a 3D printer and computer software.
In its Easter statement ÓNH threatened to target loyalist leadership figures if nationalists or republicans are attacked as part of their ongoing anti-protocol campaign.
The statement also said the group has taken "lethal action" against former members and drug dealers.
The recent arrests were made under the Terrorism Act and those detained were taken to Musgrave Street PSNI station for questioning.
Detective Inspector Keith Wilson said "a number of items have been taken away for examination".
“The searches were part of an investigation into criminality linked to Óglaigh na hÉireann," he added.