Anti-terrorist police in Lithuania are seeking the extradition of a Co Louth man they believe is linked to an alleged attempt by dissident republicans to purchase arms in the eastern bloc.

The authorities in Vilnius have issued a European arrest warrant for Brendan McGuigan, 28, from Omeath in Co Louth, who is being sought in connection with an investigation into attempted arms- smuggling by the Real IRA.

McGuigan is alleged to have travelled to Lithuania in August 2007 where it is claimed he attempted to buy firearms, ammunition and explosive devices. Another man from Co Louth, Michael Campbell, 35, is awaiting trial in connection with the same case.

Campbell was arrested at a lock-up garage on the outskirts of Vilnius in January while allegedly attempting to complete an arms deal.

Campbell’s brother, Liam, is a republican hardliner from Louth and a founder of the Real IRA, which murdered 29 people when it bombed Omagh in August 1998.

McGuigan was arrested by gardai earlier this year on foot of a European arrest warrant issued by the Lithuanian authorities and released on bail. A full extradition hearing will be heard later this year.

The Real IRA, which opposes the Northern Ireland peace process, have been reluctant to buy arms abroad, fearing entrapment by the British and Irish security services. Special Branch and MI5 have previously thwarted its arms- smuggling operations from the Balkans and mainland Europe.

In 2003, gardai compromised a plan by Seamus McGrane, a republican dissident who lives in Dromiskin, Co Louth, to smuggle small arms from France to Ireland. That operation resulted in the conviction of two dissidents.

The security forces also cracked a number of weapon-buying operations in eastern Europe. In one sting operation in Slovakia, MI5 officers posing as Iraqi agents working for Saddam Hussein met three IRA members to negotiate an arms deal.

On their return to Britain, the three were convicted of conspiracy to buy weapons.

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