Three men in their 30s have been arrested in connection with a burglary and theft operation in county Laois this morning.
Shortly after midnight a 4x4 vehicle failed to stop for Gardaí at a road checkpoint located at Cloncourse in Portlaoise.
The vehicle then rammed a marked Garda car and collided with a second Garda vehicle, before the three men fled into a field close by.
Gardaí immediately searched the area with the assistance of the Garda Air Support Unit and arrested the men a short time later.
They were brought to Portlaoise and Tullamore Garda Stations where they are currently being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.
Four Gardaí received non-life threatening injuries during the incident and attended Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise.
The operation was carried out by Gardaí from the Laois/Offaly, Carlow/Kildare and Tipperary Garda Divisions and is aimed at targeting burglaries and theft in rural areas.
Vehicles, trailers and farm equipment have been recovered during on-going searches in connection with this operation.
