Five arrested in connection with jewellery shop burglaries

Five men in their mid-30s have been arrested as part of a major Garda operation into a number of aggravated burglaries at jewellery shops around the country.

The arrests were made after a series of searches in North and West Dublin and the North inner city targeting Romanian organised crime gangs.

Several staff members were assaulted in the course of the robberies.

The investigation was carried out by the newly formed Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau supported by the Emergency Response Unit.

Computer equipment and phones were also seized during the searches.