Two men have been arrested in west Dublin following a dramatic cross-country car chase.

It is understood five men were detained following a break-in at a home in Killenaule, near Thurles in Co Tipperary, in the early hours of the morning.

Three children aged under 8 were in the property along with their parents when the raiders forced their way in.

They took money and jewellery, as well the family's Kia jeep, before making their getaway. The jeep was pursued by gardaí.

Details are scarce at this stage but Gardai have confirmed that two men were arrested on the N7 near Bewley's Hotel at Newlands Cross at around 9am this morning.

Several units from the Garda Armed Intervention Unit chased them from Tipperary where they are suspected of being part of a violent burglary last night.

The units were assisted by the Garda helicopter and specialised units from the defence forces.

Five others were arrested in Tipperary shortly after the raid and are being held at various Garda stations across the midlands.

There were severe traffic delays along the N7 after the alleged raider's car was intercepted but the area has since been cleared.

The arrests were made as part Operation Fiacla, targeting criminal gangs involved in robberies around the country.