FOUR people have been arrested and are being questioned this morning by detectives investigating the murder of the journalist, Ms Veronica Guerin, last month.
Between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. yesterday a man and a woman were detained by gardai who raided a house in Finglas, Dublin, and another man was arrested after a raid on a house in Kildare.
They were being held last night in Ballyfermot, Clondalkin and Ronanstown Garda stations.
At 5 p.m. a third man, in his mid 30s, was arrested in Co Tipperary. He was taken to Thurles Garda station but last night was expected to be brought to Lucan Garda station in Dublin, where the Guerin investigation team is based.
All four are being held under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, which allows for detention of up to 48 hours before a suspect is charged or released.
During a series of searches in connection with the investigation, gardai have uncovered a large amount of cash believed to be £30,000 or more and a small quantity of cannabis.
The four are the first suspects to be arrested by the Guerin investigation team. She was shot dead in her car as she waited at traffic lights on the Naas dual carriageway on June 26th.
Garda sources emphasised last night that the four who have been arrested are not considered prime suspects for the murder. They said investigation has been wide ranging and uncovered a number of criminal activities not directly connected to the murder.
However, detectives believe those arrested may be able to provide information which would help to lead gardai to the killers.
In the investigation into the murder of Det Garda Jerry McCabe in Limerick in early June, 30 people have so far been questioned.