A number of Garda units searched properties in a Clare town as part of a crackdown on organised crime in the mid-west, leading to the discovery of weapons and suspected stolen property.
On Wednesday, June 28, a minimum of 10 Garda cars belonging to the Armed Support Unit were seen parked up as officers swarmed both properties and lands in the Ballymaley area of Ennis.
Throughout the raids, gardai uncovered weapons such as slash hooks and pitchforks alongside what is suspected to be stolen property. A number of mobile phones were also seized during the operation.
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Speaking to Galway Beo, gardai explained that there were "no planned arrests made" and plain clothes and uniformed officers from Clare and Limerick Garda Divisions were involved.
These officers were supported by members of the Armed Support Unit from both the Southern and North Western Regions and the Southern Region Dog Unit.
A Garda spokesman confirmed the raids to Galway Beo: "As part of ongoing investigations targeting groups involved in criminal activity in the mid-west area, a search operation was conducted today, Wednesday, June 28, at a number of properties and lands in the Ballymaley area of Ennis.
"In the course of the searches, gardai recovered weapons, including slash hooks and pitchforks, along with a number of items of suspected stolen property that included power tools. A number of mobile devices were also seized.
"There was no planned arrests in this phase of the investigation.
“The operation involved plain clothes and uniform personnel from both the Clare and Limerick Garda Divisions, supported by members of the Armed Support Unit (A.S.U.) from both the Southern and North Western Regions and the Southern Region Dog Unit."