Five Lithuanian gang members were on bail

FIVE of the seven Lithuanians arrested on Sunday for running a violent extortion and robbery racket are on bail for other offences, it emerged yesterday.

The gang, feared by the Lithuanian community and well-known to gardaí and police in Lithuania, is run by a 36-year-old man with a string of violent convictions, including rape.

The seven — six men and one woman — are expected to appear in court this morning to face charges.

They were arrested at their house in Rathcoole, south west Dublin, on Sunday night in a major garda operation that also saw the seizure of three handguns, five stolen cars, a motorbike and other property.

Two other women, along with their children, were in the house at the time, but were not arrested.

The gang carried out aggravated burglaries, robberies and kidnappings against their own community across six counties for at least the last ten months.

It emerged yesterday that five of the seven are facing serious charges arising out of an incident that occurred last autumn.

Gardaí objected to bail in that case, but the men secured release in the High Court.

The gang targeted Lithuanians here by responding to advertisements for cars and domestic appliances posted on the internet — feigning interest in buying and arranging to meet the would-be sellers.

Victims were forced out of their cars at knife-point or kidnapped and brought to Rathcoole, where gardaí believe at least five were held as money was demanded from their relatives.

In one case at least €5,000 was extorted and in another case €2,000.

The gang is led by a muscle-building fanatic with convictions in Lithuania for rape, aggravated rape, breaking into cars, escape from custody, resisting arrest and robberies.

The seven are due before Kilmainham District Court today.