A MASSIVE day of action involving Gardaí, officers from Customs and Revenue services, the Department of Social Protection, and even the Dog Warden resulted in more than 40 arrests in Abbeyfeale this Tuesday (March 4).
Checkpoints were staged around the town by local Gardai, the Roads Policing unit, and the Armed Support Unit in a joint initiative with the Gardai, Customs and Excise, the Department of Social Protection and the County Council’s Dog Warden service.
There were a number of house searches and arrests were made of people who had bench warrants issued for them by the courts.
Arrests included a number of suspected drug-driving offenders who were tested for illegal substances.
30 members from Abbeyfeale Garda Station, Limerick County Community Engagement Area, the Limerick Crime Functional Area, the Divisional Roads Policing Unit, Regional Armed Support Unit, and the Kerry Division carried out searches, made arrests on bench warrants, and conducted checkpoints and patrols in Abbeyfeale during the operation.
44 people were arrested on foot of outstanding bench warrants and brought before the Newcastle West District Court.
Eight multi-agency checkpoints were conducted leading to six vehicles being seized for various offences, including dangerous driving and failure to stop.
Two people were arrested for suspicion of drug driving, while three were arrested for road traffic offences.
Two homes were searched under warrant and a small quantity of cannabis herb was seized.
Superintendent Mike Fleming said “this is our fourth day of action across the Limerick County Community Engagement Area, following similar operations in Newcastle West, Rathkeale, and Kilmallock over the last couple of months”.
“Our key goal is to respond to the needs of communities in tackling varying issues such as anti-social behaviour, road safety, and compliance with various legislation.”
Inspector Gearóid Thompson, who led the operation, said that “days like this do not happen by accident and there is much in the way of planning and logistics to go into making these days successful”.
“I am also thankful to the court services who assisted our efforts in supplying staff to meet the increased demand placed on the Newcastle West District Court with the 44 persons arrested and brought before the court today at short notice.”
