Gardaí in Bruff investigating four aggravated burglaries in Co Limerick have arrested three men and a woman.
The men - aged 48, 32, and 19 - and woman (19) are being held at Bruff, Henry Street, Mayorstone and Roxboro Garda stations.
They are detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007.
On April 7th, two masked men armed with a sawn-off shotgun and a knife entered the sitting room of an elderly homeowner in Murroe. They demanded money from the woman before departing in her car.
On April 13th three males forced entry to a house in Killuragh at approximately 11pm. Armed with a firearm and a sledgehammer they threatened and restrained a man (29) before taking the keys of a silver 4x4 and fleeing.
In another incident, on April 16th, three armed and masked men stole a large sum of money after handcuffing and assaulting a man in his home in Pallasgreen.
Separately, gardaí previously arrested two males, aged 30 and 28, who are before the courts in connection with an aggravated burglary on the May 31st.
On that date two masked men, believed to have been armed with knives, broke into a house in Pallasgreen and assaulted two sisters and their brother, all in their 60s and 70s. The raiders tied up the occupants and ransacked the house, stealing a quantity of cash in the process.
The victims managed to escape after the robbers left. All three required hospital treatment.
An incident room has been set up at Bruff Garda Station, and gardaí are appealing for anyone with information to contact them on 061 382940.