A large number of pirate radio stations have been put off the air in an unprecedented number of raids in the Dublin area by the regulator ComReg and the Garda.
Several of the stations involved have been on air for years and the raids represent the end of an era for them. However, others have vowed to come back on air.
Among the stations put off air were Jazz FM, Choice FM, ICE FM and Premier FM. Others have had premises raided and equipment seized. In some cases, ESB power supplies were cut off. Other stations went off air as a precaution while the raids were taking place.
A spokeswoman for ComReg, the telecommunications regulator, said raids in Dublin had taken place and all of them were successful. She refused to say how many raids took place.
Raids have taken place all over the State in recent months and it was Dublin's turn this week, she said. Broadcasting without a licence is an offence, and in recent years ComReg has taken a tough stance on pirates or unlicensed stations.
While there is little advertising carried on the pirate stations, licensed commercial operators have been calling for a crackdown for some time. They claim that pirates, particularly those targeting younger listeners, have been taking listeners from legitimate stations.
The raids concentrated heavily on the equipment being used by the stations.
Possessing radio broadcasting equipment without a licence is an offence. The pirates claim they are providing a service to listeners who are not adequately served by licensed operators.