Three women have been arrested and a sawn-off shotgun was seized after an operation targeting crime gangs in Longford town.
Gardai made the arrests after stopping a car on the outskirts of the town on Monday.
Officers found the gun, as well as ammunition, in a nearby field in a black bin bag which was allegedly dumped by one of the suspects in the car.
A garda spokeswoman confirmed to the Irish Mirror that the women, two in their 40s and one in her 20s, were taken into custody at Longford Town Garda Station after the operation.
She added: "During the course of a search of the area Gardaí discovered a sawn off shotgun and cartridges wrapped in a black refuse bag.
"These items were allegedly disposed of in a nearby field by a passenger in the suspect vehicle.
"They are currently detained under the provisions of section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939. Investigations are ongoing."
