Dublin gardai make over 490 arrests in past week

GARDAI working in the Dublin region made more than 490 arrests last week as part of ongoing work to prevent and detect crime.

According to information released by An Garda Siochana, 494 arrests were made across the Dublin area between Monday, August 21, and Sunday, August 27.

Some 1,591 patrols were also carried out within the same seven-day period, and more than €3.3 million worth of illegal drugs and €70,107 in cash seized.

Among the citywide detections and arrests made between August 21 and 27 was the seizure of illegal drugs valued at €810,000 (subject to analysis) during a search of a residence in Ballyfermot.

Two people were arrested, with one charged and remanded in custody.

In an unrelated incident in a housing estate in the Lucan area, gardai on patrol responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle.

According to gardai, officers observed a vehicle exit the estate and signalled for it to stop, but it failed to do so.

“Several Garda units including the Armed Support Unit provided urgent assistance in an attempt to stop the vehicle as it made its way its way onto the M50 and on to Finglas”, a Garda spokesperson said.

“Two stringer devices were used to stop the vehicle and three males were arrested.

“One was charged and the other two (juveniles) were returned to the custody of their parents.”

In another unrelated operation in the Tallaght area during the same week, illegal drugs to the value of €270,000 (subject to analysis) were seized during a search of a residential property.

Two arrests were made. One person was charged for possession of drugs for sale and supply and remanded in custody.

Assistant Commissioner, Dublin Metropolitan Region, Angela Willis said: “The past week has been another busy one in our capital city, but that isn’t new for gardai in Dublin who continue to work hard across the city and county to keep people safe.

“While significant operational activity has been ongoing for some time, we hope that increasing our high visibility presence is providing reassurance to those living, working and visiting Dublin.”

According to additional Garda figures, over 2,135 arrests and more than 4,615 high visibility patrols have been conducted since July 28.