Arrests in crackdown on loan shark gang

Gardaí investigating a major illegal money-lending ring — involving members of an extended family who have bought up to 10 houses for cash despite being on social welfare — arrested six people yesterday morning.

The early morning arrests were carried out in the Ardmore Park and Ballybeg estates of Waterford City and followed a major search operation earlier in the month which involved the Criminal Assets Bureau, regional armed support unit, and local gardaí.

Up to 30 gardaí were involved in yesterday’s activity which saw three men and three women, aged from their 20s to 50s, detained and brought to Garda stations in Co Waterford for questioning.