Spying operations surge by 25% in bid to combat organised crime

The 119 operations include the installation of 26 bugging devices to record conversations, and the deployment of 93 tracking devices to monitor the movements of vehicles or consignments.

Almost 120 covert bugging and tracking operations were conducted in the last year to combat organised crime and subversive activity, figures show.

It marks a 25% increase on the previous year, according to a report by oversight judge, Mr Justice Michael Twomey.