Four arrested in Garda raids as part of rural crime crackdown

Four men were arrested on Tuesday morning in Co Limerick as part of a co-ordinated Garda crackdown on rural crime.

The four men were detained by armed gardaí in a series of dawn raids on Tuesday morning in the Pallasgreen and Doon areas of Co Limerick.

The region has been hit hard recently by a wave of violent burglaries and several suspected arson attacks on farmers’ hay barns.

Forty gardaí were involved in the operation targeting organised criminals.

According to sources, gardaí swooped at 7am in five separate locations, arresting four men all in their 20s.

“There were five searches carried out involving local gardaí, the RSU (Regional Support Unit), the Divisional Drugs Unit, and the Garda Dog Unit,” said a source.

“The men are being questioned in relation to the recent criminal activity in Pallasgreen and Doon including the hay barns (burning) and other organised crime,” they added.

“The operation began this morning around 7am. The searches swung into place around that time and involved various search teams, the dog unit and the RSU,” the source said.

“There was a team of forty gardaí involved. The operation is being led by Bruff gardaí, supported by the Divisional Drug Unit and other units.”

The source said no weapons or drugs had been seized but that searches were continuing.

“It’s early days yet, but the searches are ongoing.”

Three of the men, one being held in Bruff, the other two detained at Henry Street Garda station, are being questioned under organised crime legislation, Section 50 of the Offences Against the State Act.

All three can be held by gardaí for up to seven days without charge.

The fourth suspect, who is being held in Tipperary Town Garda station is being questioned under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, which allows gardaí to detain him for up to three days without charge.