Four held after gun found in car

Four men were being questioned today after a handgun, baseball bats and balaclavas were found when a car was stopped and searched.

The men, aged 18 to 26, were detained after local uniformed gardaí swooped on a vehicle at Cloonlough, Mitchelstown, Co Cork, at around 8.30pm yesterday.

One firearm, two baseball bats and a number of balaclavas were recovered.

Gardaí said officers from Mitchelstown were on routine patrol in the area when they spotted the car and carried out the search.

The suspects were taken to Midleton and Fermoy garda stations for questioning under section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.

It is not believed the men have dissident republican links.