The weapon was found when Gardai searched the women's car.
Three women have been arrested after a shotgun and ammunition were found in Co. Longford.
Gardai made the discovery after a car was stopped and searched on the outskirts of Longford town yesterday.
Following a sweep of the area, a sawn off shotgun and cartridges were discovered in a nearby field.
The women, two in their 40s and one in her 20s, were arrested and taken to Longford Garda station where they remain this afternoon.
The search was carried out as part of an ongoing operation into the activities of Organised crime gangs in the county.
Following a sweep of the area, a sawn off shotgun and cartridges were found in a nearby field.
They had been wrapped in a black refuse bag - and were allegedly put there by a passenger in the car which had been stopped by Gardai.
