Three men still in custody over Cork extortion attempt

Three men remain in garda custody this morning in connection with yesterday morning's hostage taking and attempted robbery in Cork.

The O'Donovan family, from Mount Oval in Rochestown, were held at gunpoint for close to five hours by an armed gang.

The raiders apparently planned to force Gary O'Donovan, who owns an off-licence chain, to open up a warehouse where they believe cash was being stored.

However, the businessman managed to raise the alarm before the plan could be completed.

Those in custody are from Dundalk and Belfast, and are believed to have links with the Provisional IRA.