Six square miles was closed off in Cork manhunt
Six square miles in north Cork was sealed off this morning as members of the gardaí launched a major hunt for three men on the run.
The men are suspects in a burglary at a Mallow business premises early this morning.
An area of up to six square miles was closed off and up to 20 gardaí were searching fields for the suspects.
Members of the north Cork garda divisional search team were involved and assistance was requested from the garda dogs unit.
The three men on the run took to the fields after a Jeep stolen in the Mallow raid ran out of diesel. One was apprehended just before 11.30am this morning.
Gardaí said an attempt had also been made to steal a second vehicle at the premises, Southside Car Valet, near Mallow Bridge. A number of chainsaws were also stolen.
The Jeep was later abandoned on a roadside between Liscarroll and Freemount. A resident raised the alarm after hearing the car screech to a halt at around 7am.
When gardaí reached the scene to remove the Jeep for a technical examination, the three men fled into nearby fields.
Gardaí gave chase but could not locate them.
At around 9am, a local farmer contacted gardaí to report seeing three men acting suspiciously in his field.
Superintendent Pat McCarthy said there was a concern the three suspects could attempt to steal a car locally to flee the area.
He appealed to anyone who saw anything suspicious in Mallow town and the area between Freemount and Liscarroll to come forward.
Witnesses are asked to contact Mallow gardaí on (022) 21105.
