Garda checkpoints and air support to target Christmas tree thieves

Christy Kavanagh at his Christmas tree plantation farm in Newtownmountkennedy, Co. Wicklow. 'We've already sold thousands of trees, which is unusual at this stage,' he said.

A seasonal Garda operation designed to prevent raids on Christmas tree farms will get underway from today, as growers report record demand for festive firs.

Operation Hurdle, a successful initiative involving nightly air patrols, high-visibility checkpoints and armed support units, will run up until December 20 in Co Wicklow, home to Ireland's largest concentration of Christmas tree plantations.