Three men to appear in court in Tullamore in connection with golf club burglaries

Three young men arrested in relation to a garda investigation into raids on golf clubs in Offaly and other parts of Ireland are due to appear in court in Tullamore on Monday.

The three men have been charged in connection with this investigation.

It's understood that Portlaoise Golf Club and Rathdowney were targeted on St Valentine's night. Clubs in Birr and Athlone were also hit in recent days.

Garda HQ in Dubin confirmed this week that the men were arrested after a search in Meath.

"As part of Operation Thor, Gardaí from the Laois/Offaly and Meath Divisions carried out a search of a premises in Ashbourne, Co Meath on Thursday evening, February 16.

"The search was carried out following burglaries which had occurred in recent days at a number of golf clubs around the country. Two vehicles were seized as part of the search operation and three men were arrested. Two of the men are aged in their 20s and one is in his late teens," said a garda statement.

The three suspects were detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 in a number of Garda Stations in the Midlands. They can be detained for up to seven days.

The Gardaí added that it has crime prevention officers placed throughout the country in each Division.

"These officers are available to advise and assist the public and business community. Further details on these officers can be obtained at local Garda stations," said a statement.