Items seized in Offaly during investigation into organised crime

A MAJOR investigation into organised crime took place in Cloghan and Banagher last week.

On Wednesday morning February 12th two homes were searched in the two towns.

This was part of a large garda search operation into serious crime during which four men were arrested and a number of weapons were seized. Searches were carried out at six residential properties across four counties – Galway, Roscommon, Westmeath and Offaly.

The four men arrested were aged in their 20s and 30s. Two vehicles were seized, along with phones and weapons including a machete, knives, cattle prod and a taser.

In the Cloghan house a quantity of electronic devices, drug paraphernalia, a quantity of cocaine for sale or supply and a car were seized.

The operation was supported by multiple Armed Support Units.

The Gardaí said the organised crime group is involved in “serious criminality”, including possession and discharge of firearms, drug dealing, drug intimidation, burglaries and serious assaults in Galway and neighbouring counties. “Investigations are ongoing,” gardaí said in a statement.