Gardaí have rescued a man reported kidnapped from Belfast after intercepting a car on Dublin’s M50.

Investigators arrested four men and seized a firearm after forcing the car to stop near Junction 4 at Ballymun shortly before 10pm last night.

A Garda spokesperson said officers launched a “live Garda managed-containment operation” on the M50 after the PSNI contacted them about the kidnapped man.

After armed Gardaí brought the car to a stop, they arrested the four men and recovered a gun.

The man who had been reported missing was found safe and well in the car.

"Former sportsman"

Irish Independent journalist Robin Schiller told Newstalk the victim is a "former sportsman aged in his 30s from Belfast".

“He is also known to police officers in the North and is currently before the courts up there on charges," he said.

"At this stage, Gardaí certainly believe that the incident and the kidnapping is linked to organized criminality.”

Arrests

The four arrested men are being held under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, which deals with firearms offences.

Gardaí are continuing to liaise closely with the PSNI in their investigation.