Three arrested on suspicion of extortion in Co Sligo

Gardaí have arrested three people on suspicion of extortion as part of an ongoing investigation into illegal money lending in Co Sligo.

A man and a woman, both in their 40s, were being detained on Tuesday at garda stations in Ballymote and Carrick-on-Shannon under Section 17 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994.

A 17-year-old girl was also arrested but has since been released and a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Detectives believe that more than a dozen people from the one area received loans from a family and the investigation is focused a community rather than being a national inquiry.