LAST UPDATE | 31 Jul 2018

GARDAÍ BELIEVE THAT a public order incident involving two warring gangs was the motive behind a foiled murder in Limerick.

Two men were arrested last night when gardaí intercepted a car in the city.

Shortly before midnight gardaí went to intercept a silver saloon car in the Corbally area of the city as part of ongoing investigations targeting organised crime.

A search of the vehicle was conducted and gardaí recovered a semi-automatic Luger pistol, loaded with 10 rounds of ammunition.

Spare clothes and petrol were also discovered in the vehicle, leading gardaí to believe that the men were on their way to commit murder.

A number of garda vehicles were rammed when the driver tried to take evasive action during the chase but nobody was injured.

Two men (aged 25 and 29) were arrested at the scene and taken to Henry Street Garda Station where they are currently being held.

The feud is understood to be between two gangs – one from the north and the other from the south of Limerick city.

Garda operations targeting these gangs have been ongoing. Intelligence received by officers resulted in this potential murder being stopped.

With reporting by Clíodhna Russell