Seven people were in custody last night for questioning about a series of armed robberies and aggravated burglaries in the southeast.
The men, aged between 24 and 34, were arrested during a series of search operations conducted yesterday morning and afternoon by gardaí investigating a wave of serious crimes in the region during the past year.
They were detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007.
They can be held for up to seven days.
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The Garda operation was launched from Thomastown, Co Kilkenny, before 7am and seven searches were carried out in the Mooncoin and Piltown areas of Kilkenny.
Gardaí seized items including surveillance equipment and clothing.