After a nationwide crackdown, the police have arrested six Irish Republicans who have been tagged as masterminds of a plot to assassinate Prince Charles and his wife Camilla. The couple are due to visit the country on May 19 to pay tribute to the prince's uncle, Lord Mountbatten, who died at the hands of the IRA in 1979.
The arrested men are between the ages of 21 to 62, and are now being held at separate Garda stations, according to the Irish Mirror. A source has revealed to the news outlet that the suspects were being monitored by authorities for weeks.
"Ever since it was announced that the British would be coming over, there has been an increase in security. Nothing is being left to chance," the source revealed to the Irish Mirror.
The police, meanwhile, has confirmed the arrests.
"Two males in their 20s were arrested at the scene and are currently detained under the provisions of Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act at Manorhamilton Garda Station," said a spokesperson to the media. Found in the scene were handguns and improvised pipe bombs inside their car. At the time of their arrest, they were near the place where the prince and his wife are expected to visit.
Meanwhile, four of the suspects are believed to have close ties with the Continuity and Real IRA, according to Daily Mail.
As of press time, there has been no changes to Prince Charles and Camilla's scheduled visit. The royal and his wife are expected to stay in Ireland and North Ireland for four days.
