Gardaí have charged three people in connection with what is believed to be an extortion racket within the immigrant community.
A series of arrests were made in a garda operation the Cavan and Monaghan areas last night, following a complaint from a member of the Eastern European community, a garda spokeswoman said.
Three people were released after being charged and bailed to appear in court in September. A further four people are still being questioned by gardaí at stations in the area, she said.