Gardaí make fifth arrest in connection with rural crime in Limerick

By David Raleigh

A fifth man has been arrested in a Garda crackdown on rural crime in Limerick.

The man, in his 20s, who was arrested last night in Limerick City, is being questioned on suspicion of involvement in organised crime.

Four other men in their 20s, were detained by armed Gardaí in a series of dawn raids yesterday morning in the Pallasgreen and Doon areas of South East Limerick.

The region has been hit hard recently by a wave of violent burglaries and several suspected arson attacks on farmers' hay barns.

Forty Gardaí, including the armed Regional Support Unit (RSU), the Garda Dog Unit, and the Garda Divisional Drug Unit, were involved in the planned operation.

The operation is being led by Bruff gardaí, under the direction of Acting Superintendent Luke Conlon.

Four of the men are being held in Garda stations in Limerick city and county under Section 50 of the Offences Against the State Act, which allows Gardai to detain them for seven days without charge.

One of the men is being held under Section Thirty of the Offences Against the State Act at Tipperary Town Garda station