A man suspected of being a burglar who was shot during a break-in has been arrested.

The man, in his 20s, was detained after being discharged from hospital.

Three people were caught by the owner of a furniture factory at Kilmoyle, near Edgworthstown, Co Longford.

The businessman, aged in his 30s, fired a shot during the incident at around 6.30am on Thursday.

The injured man was taken to Mullingar Regional Hospital. He is now being held at Roscommon Garda station.

One of the alleged members of the gang, who fled the scene on foot, was arrested a short distance away following a search by gardai.

Gardai stopped a third man, who is suspected of escaping from the scene in a stolen van containing work tools, on the main Sligo to Dublin N4 a short time later.

He and the first to be arrested are being held at Longford Garda station under the Criminal Justice Act.

The scene was sealed off for a technical examination.

Gardai said the businessman and his family, who live nearby the premises, were left traumatised.