Two weeks ago at the Special Criminal Court, the leader of the gang was jailed for 12 years after he was caught “red-handed” in a garda raid, during which parts for six weapons and hundreds of rounds of ammunition were seized.

A cordon was established, and the Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team attended the scene.

The incident happened on Friday, when an officer had been investigating a van which was parked up in the Clonmore Estate in Ardee shortly after 4am, when it was driven at him.

The Garda sustained serious but not life threatening injuries

Shortly after 11:00 pm on Monday, gardaí in Drogheda stopped a van in Ardee, recovering cocaine valued at over €200,000.

Garda Assistant Commissioner Justin Kelly said weapons are the lifeblood of organised crime groups