A number of men remain in Garda custody after a foiled robbery north of Dublin city yesterday afternoon.

As part of an intelligence led operation involving the new Organised Crime Unit and Garda National Drug Unit, Gardai stopped a van on Rosemount Avenue in Artane on Dublin's northside at around 2pm.

Two cars were seized and a gun, balaclavas and other offensive weapons were recovered.

Three men were arrested at the scene and three others were arrested in a car close by, while the seventh man was detained a short distance away.

The men, who range in age from their early 20s to mid 50s, are being held at Coolock, Ballymun, Clontarf and Raheny Garda stations.