A 42-year-old garda, who had been on suspension from the force, was arrested yesterday by gardaí investigating a major armed robbery in Co Louth late last year.
The man, who is based in the Garda's Louth-Meath division, was detained at 7 a.m. in Drogheda.
He was the fourth person arrested by gardaí investigating the theft of cigarettes, television sets and cash worth in excess of £266,000 (€338,000) from the Value Centre cash and carry on Castle Road, Dundalk, on December 3rd last.
Up to 15 raiders were said to have been involved in the theft, including two men and a woman who gained entry to a storeroom wearing Garda uniforms.
The raiders held up staff and forced them to open gates to the rest of the gang, who loaded pallets of cigarettes and other goods into waiting vans.
Some staff received medical treatment for cuts and bruises after being assaulted during the raid.
Last Sunday three people, two men and a woman, were arrested in Drogheda in relation to the robbery. One of them, Mr Wayne Wallace (29), with an address at Parkhead Crescent, Newry, Co Down, formerly of Tallaght, appeared before a special sitting of Ardee District Court on Monday charged with two counts of robbery and possession of a firearm.
The charges related to the Dundalk robbery and the theft of €20,000 from Ferguson's Holiday Centre and Caravan Park, Gyles Quay, Carlingford, Co Louth, on July 15th last.
The two others arrested on Sunday were released without charge. The garda arrested yesterday was detained at Dundalk Garda Station under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, which allows him to be held for a minimum of 24 hours.
He had already been suspended in connection with a separate alleged offence for which he is on remand, awaiting trial.
