Gardaí probe illegal activity at halting site

Garda and officers from Customs and Excise, the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Social Protection were involved in a major operation at a halting site in Limerick city yesterday, investigating illegal activity involving unlicensed, untaxed vehicles, and the use of illegal fuel.

A number of vehicles and animals were seized during the operation at a housing project for members of the travelling community in Rhebogue.

More than 50 officers were involved in the operation at the Rhebogue Group Housing Project in the city, which was led by the Environment Department of Limerick City Council.

Five dogs and three horses were impounded while 12 vehicles were removed by recovery firms.

Hundreds of tyres were also seized and quantities of illegal diesel were detected.

Teams from the various agencies entered the site at 12.30pm yesterday and carried out investigations on each property.

It’s understood eight families live on the site, but many more move in and out of the site on a transient basis.

Limerick City Council, along with Gardaí have been monitoring activities at the site for several months after a number of complaints from residents in the nearby housing estates.

Residents at the site were questioned but no arrests were made.

Limerick City Council say it’s too early to say if prosecutions will follow.

Yesterday’s probe was organised as a result of alleged illegal scrapping of vehicles and burning of waste including tyres.