Gardaí have described as "sinister" the theft of three firearms from a family home in north Kerry.
Two rifles and a shotgun were taken from a secure firearms cabinet in a house between Ballybunion and Ballylongford on Sunday between 6pm and 8.30pm. The guns were all licensed. The scene was being forensically examined yesterday and results are awaited.
A "substantial" sum of money and other goods were also stolen from the house.
Gardaí said they were keeping all lines of inquiry open.
"We're treating this case very seriously," said Garda Insp Martin McCarthy of Listowel Garda station.
"This crime involved the burglary of a dwelling house used by adults and children. Equally serious is the theft of firearms, which we would consider a sinister development."
Anyone with information is asked to contact Listowel gardaí on 068-21146.
Meanwhile, three houses in the Knocknagoshel/Brosna area of north Kerry were also burgled on Sunday.
A small number of items were taken from each of the houses between 7pm and 8.30pm.