Thales, a French-owned arms company, already runs a factory in east Belfast and test facility in Co Down.

The driver of the car, Aaron McNutt, appeared at Letterkenny District Court following the incident.

Also intercepted at the State’s main parcel centre was more than 235 kilograms of drugs, over 125,000 tablets, and nearly 50,000 smuggled cigarettes

Police said early indications are that they are replica weapons.

It is prohibited to transport munitions of war on civil aircraft across Irish airspace without an exemption from the Minister for Transport.

The Department of Transport is examining reports that weapons bound for Israel flew through Irish airspace

The Thales plant in east Belfast design and produce high precision missiles

Gardai seized a battle rifle, a semi-automatic handgun and more than 40 rounds of ammunition.

The 33-year-old was arrested on a European Arrest Warrant issued by Irish authorities

Five people were arrested in connection with the seizures

Revenue maintains a database detailing items sent through the post which have been seized

Police said they are keeping “an open mind” in terms of the ownership of the weapons.