Three men, two in their 40s and one in his 30s were arrested but have since been released without charge, pending further investigation.

Motorist's are being urged to take alternative routes with the incident expected to affect traffic over the next hour.

He is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda station in the Meath/Westmeath Division.

Two cars have been seized and examinations are taking place at the scene, as well as a home in Athlone.

Earlier this afternoon, a body was found on a farmland on the Roscommon side of Athlone.

The road is currently closed for examination by Forensic Collision Investigators.

The driver of the vehicle was stopped and a subsequent roadside drugs test showed a positive result for cocaine and cannabis.

Private Patrick Kelly and Garda Recruit Gary Sheehan were shot dead by the IRA, this day 41 years ago in Drumcornan Wood.