Gardaí exchange fire with house search gang

An exchange of fire took place between gardai and a criminal gang during a search of a house in Co Cavan, gardaí said today.

Officers were approaching the derelict house in Virginia last night when a car stopped and four men got out and fired at least two shots at the gardaí.

A Detective Garda returned fire at the armed man and the gang escaped through ditches and fields.

A 29-year-old man was arrested and taken to Monaghan garda station, where he was being questioned under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.

Ammunition was found at the scene and the area was sealed off for technical investigations.

No gardaí were injured during the incident but it was not known whether any of those who escaped were hurt.

Gardaí said they believed this was the work of a criminal gang. The search was planned as part of investigations into serious crime in the Co Dublin area.