Four Albanians charged as gardaí probe organised crime

FOUR Albanian nationals were charged over the weekend following a major garda investigation into organised crime across the south and south-east of the country.

A total of 11 Albanians were arrested last Tuesday by a garda team investigating 50 alleged burglaries across Munster and south Leinster during an 18-month period.

One of those arrested was taken to Clonmel District Court on Saturday and charged with burglary offences. The 34-year-old, with an address in Tralee, Co Kerry, was remanded in custody with consent to bail.

A second man was charged yesterday morning at Dungarvan District Court with burglary offences.

The 44-year-old, with an address in Cork city, was also remanded in custody with consent to bail.

Two other men were due, separately, to appear before Wexford and Killarney district courts yesterday evening.

All but one of the others arrested has been released without charge.

The garda team, together with the Criminal Assets Bureau, is now preparing a file for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The 11th man arrested, who was picked up at Dublin Airport after Tuesday’s swoop, is still being questioned by gardaí.

They were all arrested under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007, which allows for seven days’ detention.

They were picked up by gardaí as part of Operation Crake, set up to investigate 50 seemingly unconnected burglaries in eight counties between October 2008 and May 2010.

Garda sources said their investigation was “intelligence-led”, with considerable work done by the force’s civilian crime analysts.

The Criminal Assets Bureau was brought in to follow the money trial.

Officers attached to the bureau are examining documentation and bank account details seized during Tuesday’s searches.