Four men have been arrested and a firearm seized following a garda operation in Dublin last night, during which a man who was reported kidnapped in Belfast was found safe and well.
Gardaí were informed by the Police Service of Northern Ireland about a suspected kidnapping incident in Belfast, after which a containment operation was launched.
The Dublin Roads Policing Unit sent out officers to set up checkpoints and search for a car.
Armed gardaí intercepted the white BMW on the M50 at Junction 4 Ballymun shortly before 10pm last night.
Four men who were in the car were arrested at the scene and are being held at garda stations in the Dublin region.
A fifth man in the car, who had been reported missing in Belfast, was found safe and well.
A firearm was recovered from the vehicle, which will now be subject to a technical and ballistic examination.
Gardaí have said investigations are ongoing, and they continue to liaise closely with the PSNI.