Two men have been arrested and a firearm has been seized in Mullingar, Co Westmeath, as part of an ongoing investigation into organised crime in the area.
A man in his 30s was arrested after a plain clothes garda patrol, attached to Mullingar Garda Station, directed a car of interest to stop.
Gardaí said when the car eventually stopped, a man fled the vehicle, but was subsequently arrested.
A bag that had been discarded during the chase was recovered by gardaí and a firearm and ammunition were seized.
A second occupant of the vehicle, a man in his 50s, was also arrested.
Both men are being detained at a garda station in Co Westmeath.
Gardaí said a number of follow up searches were carried out at homes in the Mullingar area, where items were seized.
The Garda Air Support Unit was involved in the operation.
A major garda operation is under way in the town, as part of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann, which is taking place for the week.
