Gang held by gardaí may have targeted businessman in foiled 2011 raid

A gang captured while attempting an armed robbery on a businessman’s home may have targeted him two years ago — but abandoned the plan when it was rumbled by gardaí.

They were foiled a second time late on Sunday.

A few days ago, gardaí removed the targeted family, the Glavins, from their home in Glounthane, Co Cork.

Up to 50 gardaí had lain in wait, reportedly for several days, for the gang.

Five men detained on Sunday and early yesterday are being held at three garda stations around Cork City.

Detectives are working on the possibility that Patrick Glavin had previously been the likely target of a raid. In Jul 2011, three stolen vehicles, one fitted with a false taxi plate, were found in Glounthaune.

Gardaí believe the 2011 discovery was linked to a planned crime, possibly to rob outdoor caterer Mr Glavin, who lives just a mile from the village.

At the time, gardaí seized the cars before the gang could use them. However, in recent weeks, gardaí received information that a gang was still intent on robbing the businessman, whose company sells fast food at major concerts, festivals, and sporting fixtures.

Gardaí pounced at 10.30pm on Sunday, firstly arresting one gang member at the house.

Armed detectives used stun grenades as, a short time later, they arrested a second man, who had fled into nearby fields.

Roadblocks were set up in the area and gardaí arrested two more gang members at 12.40am yesterday in nearby Glanmire.

At 3am, they arrested the alleged gang leader at a house in Mayfield.

The five men are being held under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act — legislation primarily used against organised crime — and can be detained for up to seven days before being released or charged.

Four of the men are in their 30s. The gang leader, who is in his 40s, is well know to gardaí for his involvement in serious crime.

Gardaí were yesterday conducting searches in the fields surrounding the Glavin house. Specialist search teams retraced the escape route used by the gang.

As part of the earlier operation, the Garda helicopter was also called into action and had used infra-red cameras to track the men.