09/07/2009

Digger Seizure By Anti Gang Gardaí

Four men have been arrested and a number of vehicles seized as part of an investigation into organised crime.

A Gardaí spokesman has announced today, that as a result of on going investigations into the activities of an Organized Crime gang based in Dublin, officers from the Organised Crime Unit assisted by members of the Emergency Response Unit seized three vehicles, including two cars and a mini-digger.

During the operation officers arrested four males in their 20s at Donard, Co. Wicklow on Tuesday.

All four men were detained under the Criminal Justice Act at Naas and Newbridge Garda Stations. They were charged and appeared before Arklow District Court yestersay.

They were further remanded on bail to appear at Bray District Court on the 2nd of September at 10.30am.

The news comes just a day after controversy over a new Government Bill to introduce new powers to tackle gangland crime reaches fever pitch.

In a letter the Irish Times on Wednesday, the 133 defence and prosecution lawyers say they are "extremely concerned" about the latest plans from the Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern that are seeking to establish sweeping reforms in how Gardai and the courts tackle gangland crime, including more use of the Special Criminal Court, which sits without a jury and increased powers for Gardaí.

The letter of protest form Ireland's top lawyers joins the words of the main opposition parties who have also raised questions about how the bill may contravene the Irish Constitution.

TDs will finish work on the Bill on Friday and it will go before the Séanad next week.

(DW/BMcc)

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