BBC journalists seized in Ulster

Updated 22.53 Sun Mar 16 2008

Keywords: garda, Northern Ireland, BBC

Four BBC journalists have been arrested by Irish police investigating paramilitary activity.

The BBC Northern Ireland current affairs reporters are among 11 men being questioned in garda stations in Donegal, a Republic of Ireland county that borders Northern Ireland.

An Irish police spokesman said the men were being held under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, adding: "The arrests relate to ongoing investigations into paramilitary activity"

They were investigating the Republican Real IRA splinter group for the corporation's Spotlight programme when they were seized.

An Irish police spokesman said the men were being held under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, adding: "The arrests relate to ongoing investigations into paramilitary activity."

A BBC spokesman said: "We can confirm that some of those arrested this morning in County Donegal were BBC journalists.

"They were working on a BBC Northern Ireland current affairs investigation and had full editorial authorisation under the BBC's guidelines.

"The other parties present were fully aware that they were with BBC journalists."