Arrest Follow Organised Crime Probe

Ten men have been arrested as part of a major operation into an organised crime burglary spree across the south and southeast.

The investigation, codenamed Operation Crake, began four months ago prompted by a string of 50 burglaries at post offices and filling stations that began in 2008.

Ten people, all Albanian men aged between 30 and 44, were arrested this morning in 22 raids stretching from Co Kerry to Co Wexford.

Detectives and officers from the South and South-Eastern Garda Regions, as well as members of the Criminal Assests Bureau and officers from the forensics division, have been involved in the investigation. Interpol has also provided assistance.

The ten men, whose ages vary from 30 to 44 years, are being detained at Waterford, Thurles, Thomastown, New Ross, Mallow and Cahir Garda Stations under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act and can be held for up to seven days.

A spokesman for Gardaí said: "In relation to an ongoing intelligence led operation targeting organised crime in South and South Eastern Garda Regions Gardaí conducted a number of arrests and searches [yesterday] morning.

"The specific investigations concerned a large number of similar burglaries that occurred at various business premises in counties Carlow, Cork, Kerry, Kilkenny, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford in a period spanning October 2008 and May 2010."

(DW)