Four men and a woman arrested following an attack on gardaí in east Cork early on Monday are due to appear in court in Mallow today in connection with the incident.

The five, who range in age from 18 to 46 years of age, were arrested at Ballymartin Dungourney following a two-hour stand-off with armed members of the Regional Support Unit.

The RSU were called in after a number of gardaí came under attack from the group after a series of disturbances earlier in the night near Killeagh and Mount Uniacke.

The disturbance began when two members of the Midleton Traffic Corps stopped a car at Drishanmore in Killeagh and were questioning the occupants when they were attacked.

One officer received a serious head and eye injury when he was struck in the face by a rock thrown by the one of the group while the other officer was also pelted with stones.

The gang fled in their car after ramming the Garda car and they then rammed a second Garda car from Youghal at Mount Uniacke village before again speeding off.

Gardaí went to an address at Ballymartin in Dungourney where they were again attacked before the RSU was called to assist with the situation.

Gardaí arrested four men, aged 18, 22, 35 and 46 along with a 27-year-old woman and took them to Midleton, Fermoy and Cobh Garda Stations for questioning.

Gardaí under Supt John Quilter of Midleton Garda Station also seized a quantity of weapons, some cash and a car which they believe was used in the two rammings.

Gardaí are still searching for a fifth man who was involved in the disturbance and the attacks on the officers, one of whom had to be hospitalised at Cork University Hospital.

The five people arrested are due to be brought to Mallow District Court this morning where they will be charged in connection with the violent disorder incidents.