A gang suspected to be from the Dublin/Meath border have had three of their members arrested following an attempted attack on a hotel.
The Pillo Hotel in Ashbourne contacted Gardai after three armed intruders tried to burst into the premises on November 5.
Upon arrival, officers spotted a Meath reg car parked near the hotel with two men standing outside and one inside the car.
Gardai searched the vehicle and discovered a number of what they believed were weapons used for a number of thefts in the area.
These included a reciprocal saw, a three tonne car jack, gloves, baseball bats and a golf club.
The trio were arrested at the scene and were questioned at Ashbourne Garda Station where investigations are ongoing.
A Garda spokesman said: "Ashbourne Gardai responded to intruders at an incident at the Pillo Hotel in Ashbourne, Meath.
"On arrival at the scene, Gardai observed a vehicle with a registration number 08MN*** parked at the barrier.
"Two males were standing outside the vehicle and one male was seated in the vehicle. There were reports that three males had attempted to gain entry to the hotel.
He continued: "Upon searching the vehicle Gardai discovered a number of implements namely a reciprocal saw, a three tonne car jack, gloves, baseball bats and a golf club.
"Gardai suspected that these individuals intended to use these items in the course of thefts in the area and the males were arrested on suspicion of an offence contrary to Section 15 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.
"They were conveyed to Ashbourne Garda Station where they were detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984."
