THE garda search of an unoccupied farm at Liscahane, Ardfert, Co Kerry, ended last night. A garda spokeswoman said that nothing had been found.
It is understood the search was linked to recent action against alleged drug dealers in Co Kerry by an anonymous group known as the Kerry Concerned Parents against Drugs. According to Garda sources, some members of the group have links to the Provisional IRA.
Over 30 gardai were involved in the search, which began last Tuesday. Yesterday, a JCB was brought in to dig areas of the 70 acre farm. The operation was concluded after extensive farm and derelict outbuildings and the farmhouse had been combed.
Last month, two people linked to the Provisional IRA were detained by gardai in Tralee under the Offences against the State Act, but later released without charge. "We do not want to say too much at this stage, but you can take it that the search is not unconnected to the outbreak of vigilante activity," said Chief Supt Donal O'Sullivan of Tralee.
The anonymous group has claimed responsibility for recent arson attacks on cars owned by suspected drug pushers in Kerry. At least nine cars have been damaged over the past few months, and guns have been used in some of the incidents.
The most recent attack happened at Farranfore last week when a woman, who was driving along a country lane at midnight, was stopped by armed men wearing balaclavas. The woman was ordered to make a call to her husband on a mobile telephone, and when she refused, the gang took her car and set it alight.
Chief Supt O'Sullivan said that the drugs problem in Kerry was no worse than in any other rural part of Ireland.