A DOZEN men have been arrested by police investigating the Continuity IRA terror group in Northern Ireland.

Detectives said they were probing "violent dissident republican" activity after raiding a house in Newry close to the border with the Irish Republic.

The suspects were aged between 36 and 75, some from the Republic. They were detained using anti-terrorism powers and may be held for up to 28 days.

Officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) are quizzing them at Antrim police station.

The Continuity IRA is one of several relatively small but dangerous armed republican groups opposed to the peace process in Northern Ireland. Police are on high alert for attacks by extremists.

Monday night's operation was described by police as "proactive". Gardai are working with their counterparts north of the border on the investigation.