Gardaí have arrested two men after recovering a firearm during an operation in Co. Laois.

The discovery was made shortly before 6pm when a car was stopped and searched on the M7 near Mountrath.

A firearm and a number of suspicious devices have been recovered.

The Army bomb squad has been requested to attend the scene which is currently preserved.

A man aged in his 40s and a second in his late teens were arrested at the scene.

Both are currently detained at Portlaoise Garda Station.