Gardaí are searching for three suspected members of a criminal gang this evening after a shootout in Virginia, Co Cavan, last night.
Six people have already been arrested following the shooting.
It later emerged that a large amount of ammunition and weapons has been found in the house including shotguns and shotgun cartridges and rifles, handguns and bullets.
The shooting incident happened last night when gardaí were searching a derelict house near Virginia. Four men drove into the yard of the house at Coppenagh Cross as gardaí were arriving to carry out the search at about 10.15 p.m.
The men confronted the officers and at least two shots were fired. A Detective Garda returned fire and the attackers ran off across adjoining fields.
No Garda was injured, but gardaí believe one of the fugitives may have been shot during the incident.
A Garda statement said they believe a criminal gang was responsible.
Gardaí are being helped in their search for the three fugitives - who are believed to be armed and dangerous - by an air support unit and sniffer dogs in a comprehensive search of the area.
They are also investigating the theft of a white Citroen van, registration number 94 D 47198. The theft happened sometime early this morning and is believed to be connected with last night's shooting.
Anybody who knows the whereabouts of this vehicle or has any other information should contact Virginia Garda Station telephone 049-8547002 or any Garda Station.
Last night a 29-year-old man from Cavan was arrested at the scene of the incident and three men and two women were arrested in follow-up operations this morning.
Those arrested are being detained at Navan, Ashbourne, Kells and Monaghan Garda Stations.
The search of the derelict house was planned as part of investigations into serious crime in north County Dublin, including the kidnapping and theft of an firearms dealer and his family last week.