THREE MEN ARRESTED in Kildare yesterday in advance of the Queen’s visit were believed to be plotting major disruption in the form of a hoax car bomb.

The Belfast Telegraph reports that the men, supporters of the Real IRA, had stolen a car and were planning to leave it along the route the Queen would be taking as she visited the Irish National Stud.

The men were planning to phone in a bomb threat, although it’s thought that the intention was to cause disruption rather than harm.

A Garda spokesperson told TheJournal.ie that the three men are still being held at Naas Garda station and that they received information that major disruption was planned. The Queen’s visit to the National Stud near Kildare Town and the Aga Khan’s stud in Kilcullen went off without a hitch.

Dublin arrests

Meanwhile 12 people who were arrested at Connolly Station yesterday evening have been charged and released.

The group, believed to be members of a republican group, appeared before a special sitting of Cloverhill District Court last night. A Garda spokespeson says all were charged with various offences and then released. They will appear in court again next month. It’s reported that they had planned to protest at the Convention Centre, where a special concert was being held in honour of the Queen.

Read more in the Belfast Telegraph: Gardaí foil dissident gang’s plot to disrupt Queen’s visit>

Day four of the Queen’s visit gets underway>

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