A Limerick solicitor claimed yesterday he has been victimised by gardaí after his offices were raided by members of the Criminal Assets Bureau.
The offices of solicitor John Devane in Limerick city were searched by Cab on Thursday after they arrived with a warrant to inspect the premises.
Mr Devane had been involved in a case in Portlaoise Circuit Court earlier this week in which a drugs charge against one of his clients was struck out on a technicality.
Mr Devane claimed yesterday the authorities targeted his offices because they were not happy with his success as a defence solicitor.
"It's really amazing that the case is suddenly struck out on Monday and a few days later a search warrant is issued to search my office and go through files."
However, a Garda source last night dismissed the solicitor's claims and said the raid was part of an ongoing operation.
"This was not the only premises searched as part of this ongoing investigation into the activities of an individual in the Limerick area," said the source.
Mr Devane has represented many of Limerick's most notorious criminals. But he stressed yesterday that his clients came from "many facets of life".
A number of other premises including an accountant's office and another solicitor's premises were also searched in the Cab operation, assisted by officials from the Revenue Commissioners. It is understood the activities of an individual suspected of links to a drugs gang is the target of the investigation.
Mr Devane said there had been a "total intrusion" on the client/solicitor relationship. He had spoken to senior legal counsel with a view to pursuing the matter.