Man due in court after raid on Cork halting site

Three men arrested in relation to spate of burglaries and thefts over the past few months

Gardaí confiscated three caravans and a car on suspicion they were stolen. File photograph:  Oli Scarff/Getty Images
Gardaí confiscated three caravans and a car on suspicion they were stolen. File photograph: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

A 34-year-old man is due in court on Wednesday following a raid by gardaí, customs and other agencies on an illegal Traveller halting site in Co Cork.

Gardaí said the raid on the site just off the N25 near Little Island in east Cork on Tuesday was part of an investigation targeting a criminal gang they believe were responsible for a spate of burglaries and thefts in the greater Cork area over the past few months.

Up to 40 gardaí along with another 60 personnel from customs and Cork County Council were involved.

Gardaí, backed up the members of the armed Regional Support Unit, confiscated three caravans and a car on suspicion they were stolen. The vehicles were taken to Mayfield Garda station.

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Officers also recovered a trailer and a large number of high powered tools including generators, which they believe were stolen from construction sites and other work places in recent weeks.

Gardaí arrested three men - a 46-year-old man, a 34-year-old man and a juvenile - under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act and brought them to Mayfield Garda Station for questioning.

The 46-year-old man was brought before Cork District Court and charged with the theft of a car from Douglas two weeks ago. He was remanded on bail to appear in court on a later date.

The 34-year-old man is due to be brought before Cork District Court on Wednesday when he will be charged with a theft offence.

The juvenile was released without charge on Tuesday night and gardaí will prepare a file in relation to his involvement in the burglaries and thefts, a garda spokesman confirmed.

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Barry Roche

Barry Roche

Barry Roche is Southern Correspondent of The Irish Times