A detective garda was shot and killed at the scene of an attempted robbery of a credit union last night.
Two of the raiders were arrested shortly afterwards near Dublin city.
It is understood that the deceased, named last night as Det Garda Adrian Donoghue was with another colleague, Det Garda Joseph Ryan, and was on escort duty at Bellurgan, Jenkinstown in Dundalk at around 9.30pm when the shooting took place.
Multiple shots were fired in the incident at the Lordship Credit Union premises.
The raiders immediately fled the scene in what is understood to be a dark coloured Volkswagen Passat.
Two of them were arrested in Whitehall, near Dublin airport and are understood to be from the capital.
Several garda cars had responded instantly in an effort to close down the road network surrounding the town to prevent their getaway.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland was also contacted.
Family and colleagues were coming to terms with the tragedy last night. Det Garda Donoghue was in his late thirties and married. He was stationed in Dundalk.
His wife and two brothers are all members of An Garda Síochána.
It is believed that one of his brothers had to be informed while on duty in Navan.
A senior Garda source said: “He was on duty in the service of his country and it looks like he could have paid the ultimate price.
“It doesn’t look like it’s going to be a good night for An Garda Síochána.”
The other detective on duty was understood not to have been hurt in the incident.
The scene was sealed off last night for forensic examination.
In a statement gardaí in Dundalk confirmed they “are investigting a shooting incident” and appealed for witnesses.
“The incident occurred outside the Lordship Credit Union at Bellurgan, Jenkinstown, Dundalk, Co Louth.
“A number of shots were fired during the incident resulting in the serious injury of a detective Garda attached to Dundalk Garda Station,” it said.
“A dark coloured car left the scene in the direction of Dundalk. At this stage we believe four people were in this car.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact the incident room at Dundalk Garda station or at 042-9388400 or the Garda confidential number at 1-800-666-111.
