Some 13 stolen vehicles were unexpectedly recovered in an underground car park today when gardaí went to check one suspect car.
Gardaí believe they have uncovered a significant car theft ring which has stolen a number of vehicles in recent weeks.
The cars - worth an estimated €130,000 - included two 4x4s and a range of family saloons and hatchbacks.
Detectives are investigating if a major criminal gang are behind the find at Mill Court apartments from Baltinglass, Co Wicklow, at noon.
One garda said officers were called out to check one car and soon realised it, and a second, had been stolen.
“The gardaí went to review all the cars and that led to the whole thing,” he said.
It emerged all 13 vehicles had been taken, along with the keys, during a spate of burglaries across the south Dublin, west Dublin and Kildare areas since the end of July.
“We don’t know if there is a big gang link to this,” said one Garda.
“All avenues are being explored. We haven’t any idea what they were going to do with them.” The cars, with registrations which date range from 2005 to 2009, have been removed for a forensic examination.
The Mill is a waterfront development overlooking the River Slaney at the gateway to Baltinglass town.
Officers will speak to residents in the development as they try and trace the whereabouts of those who have secured the parking spaces.
Detectives have appealed for any member of the public with information, or who saw anything in Mill Court underground car park during the past month, to come forward.
PA