Two suspected Irish dissidents arrested in Ireland

Two suspected dissident republicans were arrested after authorities found a bomb in their car, Irish police said Saturday. Police stopped the men and searched the car in Waterford late Friday. A "viable improvised explosive device" was spotted and handled by a bomb squad. The suspects are being held under Ireland's anti-terrorism legislation. Irish law allows terror suspects to be held for up to three days without charge.

The Irish Republican Army fought a bloody campaign against British rule in Northern Ireland for decades before starting a process of decommissioning nine years ago. Those who refused to accept the Good Friday Agreement that led to the decommissioning are known as dissident republicans. Irish authorities this month have conducted an anti-terror sweep that has led to the arrests of several individuals in recent days. Last week, the country's top police officer said authorities are continuing to conduct operations meant to disrupt dissident IRA activity.