Gang remains at large after shootout

A criminal gang remained at large today after a shoot-out with Gardaí.

Officers were combing the countryside around Virginia in Co Cavan for the group, who escaped after an exchange of fire with gardai last night.

At least one of the gang who fled the scene is believed to be armed.

A Garda officer was investigating suspicious activities at a derelict house at around 10pm when he was bundled into a car by a group of men.

The car stopped, members of the gang got out and shots were fired at a group of gardaí.

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

Two men were arrested but one of them managed to flee.

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

A 29-year-old arrested at the scene was being questioned at Monaghan Garda Station.

A further five people – three men and two women – were detained in follow-up operations and were being held at Navan, Ashbourne, Kells and Monaghan Garda Stations.

This afternoon a Garda helicopter was helping officers with sniffer dogs to search the Co Cavan countryside.

Chief Superintendent Michael Finnigan said: “We are looking for a number of men who escaped from the scene here.

“At least one of them is armed. At least three escaped.”

The scene was sealed off for technical examinations and a substantial amount of ammunition was found in the house.

Detectives said members of the gang could have fled in a white Citroen van which was stolen in the area last night.

It is believed the incident could be linked to an arms theft at a gun dealer’s house in Co Dublin last Friday.

The 55-year-old dealer and his wife and son were tied up while a gang of at least four men ransacked their Balbriggan home, which is joined to their business premises.

They tied the family up in a room and escaped with 14 sporting firearms, cash and jewellery, before escaping in the dealer’s jeep.