Gardai investigating an attempted armed robbery at the home of a Cork businessman have recovered a sawn-off shotgun. The discovery was made in a field near the house at Glounthaune where Gardai swooped on an armed gang yesterday.

The weapon has been sent for forensic examination by Garda technical experts.

Detectives are still questioning five men in connection with the incident.

It is understood that a number of men attempted to break into the home of the businessman in his 50s early on Sunday night. But the alarm was raised, gardaí were alerted and the raid was foiled.

Armed Gardaí from Cobh and Midleton were joined by armed officers from Cork City as well as armed members of the Regional Support Unit.