Garda’s garden dug up in investigation into suspected links with crime gang

THE garden of a member of An Garda Síochana has been dug up as part of an ongoing investigation into his suspected links with a criminal gang.

The Limerick-based garda, aged in his 40s, was arrested this week at the station where he works by members of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, who travelled to Limerick from Dublin.

He is suspected of receiving payments in return for supplying information to the Rathkeale Rovers gang, a group of Travellers, who carry out offences in Ireland and internationally.

The gang is involved in drugs, fraud and the theft of high-value items, accumulating massive wealth from their illegal activities.

The garda is suspected of corruption in public office, which carries a prison term of up to 10 years on conviction.

Following his arrest, the garda – who has been involved in several high-profile investigations while working in the Limerick division – was taken to Roscrea Garda Station in Co. Tipperary, where he was detained and questioned under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

He was released without charge the next day and a file is to be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

‘A Garda member was arrested on January 23,’ said a Garda spokesman. ‘The garda was held in relation to the investigation of a criminal offence and released without charge on Thursday morning, January 24.’

Whether any evidence was found in the garden search has not been disclosed.

The operation involved gardaí from Dublin, and officers in Limerick, who were not informed in advance.

It’s understood that sections of the garda’s garden were dug up by specialist search teams.

While confirming details of the arrest, a Garda spokesman declined to elaborate on the search: ‘We don’t go into the particulars of a search operation.’

The Garda Síochana confirmed that a second man, aged in his 30s, was arrested and questioned at Nenagh garda station in Tipperary on the same day. He too was released without charge pending directions from the DPP. He is understood to be connected with a business in Limerick city.

‘Criminals involved in drugs, fraud and theft’