Kildare Gardai find stolen goods in major blitz on burglary gangs in Athy, Newbridge and Kildare

More details have emerged of a major Garda crackdown on criminals in Co Kildare over two days earlier this month.

During the operation between December 1 to 3, dozens of local Gardai backed by armed officers carried out 23 searches over 48 hours in Athy, Newbridge and Kildare.

Investigators recovered €5,000 worth of stolen property, including a €2,500 racing bike, 36 bottles of brandy, a €800 laptop and €550 worth of tools and jewellery.

Investigators also found €50,000 worth of drugs, €4,000 in cash and three imitation firearms, according to the Irish Sun.

The operation, run by Garda Insp David O'Sullivan under the command of Garda Supt Martin Walker, also involved armed Operation Thor checkpoints.

The Garda blitz was aimed at disrupting the activities of criminal gangs across Co Kildare and recovering property they had stolen in burglaries. 

The Gardai's Command and Control Centre - a highly operational base - was based in Athy for the 48-hour-period to co-ordinate the Operation.

The Garda Dog Unit and the Mounted Unit were also involved.