A man has been arrested after a loaded firearm was seized in Limerick city.

It happened around midnight early this morning when Gardaí on patrol encountered a man on an electric bike on Island Road.

After spotting the Gardaí, the cyclist abandoned his bike and fled on foot.

He was apprehended a short distance away, having attempted to discard a bag.

When the bag was recovered, Gardaí found and seized a loaded firearm.

A man in his 20s was arrested and is currently detained in a Limerick city Garda station.

The seized firearm will be sent to Garda Ballistics for further analysis.

Main image: Garda lantern at Castlepollard Garda Station. Image: KarlMPhotography / Alamy