ARMED police closed the A34 as they swooped on two men wanted in connection with an attempted murder inquiry in Ireland.

The dual carriageway was closed close to the Islip turn, near Bicester, from 10.40pm to 11.10pm on Wednesday after an automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) camera on the M40 alerted Thames Valley Police that a vehicle believed to be carrying the suspects was approaching.

Thames Valley Police spokesman Chris Kearney said an armed response unit went to the scene, accompanied by Warwickshire Police’s helicopter.

He said the road was closed after one of the two men in the white Ford Transit ran off when the vehicle was stopped. The suspect was arrested shortly afterwards.

Mr Kearney said: “The police operation started about 8pm after the van activated an ANPR camera.

“The van was linked to people wanted in connection with an attempted murder warrant in Southern Ireland, and they are now in custody.”

Garda spokesman Gerry Kavanagh said the matter was being dealt with by Europol.

The men were arrested but last night police in Britain and Ireland were unable to say what the pair were formally suspected of.

No one from Netherlands-based Europol was available for comment.

The Highways Agency confirmed the carriageway was reopened at 11.10pm.