Police tonight have been given an additional three days to question nine people arrested in a cross border operation against dissident republicans.
It is understood Crime Operations Assistant Chief Constable Barbara Gray's team requested an additional five days and were granted 72 hours.
The PSNI today confirmed an arrest operation carried out on Tuesday was part of an “ongoing investigation into the activities of the New IRA”.
Seven men and two women, aged 26 to 50, were arrested in Belfast, Derry and Tyrone.
Crime Operations Assistant Chief Constable Barbara Gray said: “I can confirm that nine people were arrested on Tuesday under the Terrorism Act in connection with an ongoing investigation into the activities of the New IRA. All nine remain in custody.
“The 7 men and 2 women, aged between 26 and 50 years, were arrested as part of Operation Arbacia. They are currently in Musgrave Serious Crime Suite where they continue to be questioned on suspicion of a wide range of terrorist activity.
“The operation was supported by An Garda Siochana who carried out six searches at locations in Dublin, Laois, Cork and Kerry."
Ciarán Shiels of Madden & Finucane is representing one of the Derry men arrested said: "Interviews will continue later tonight and the court will resume at 2pm on Saturday to consider any further time in police custody.”
