GARDAÍ in Limerick made 35 arrests this Tuesday (May 6) as part of a major multi-agency day of action, cracking down on outstanding warrants in Askeaton and Pallaskenry.
The arrests were for various alleged offences, and those arrested were later bailed and remanded to appear in court at later dates.
The day of action involved many arms of the State’s authorities, including local Limerick Gardaí, armed Garda units, and Garda Roads Policing Unit.
Revenue Customs Officers, the Road Safety Authority, Limerick City and County Council’s Dog Warden Service, and Department of Social Protection also took part in the mass sweep.
Firearms checks, road traffic checkpoints, as well as strategic patrols, were conducted in Askeaton and Pallaskenry throughout the day.
Gardaí attended at a number of residential homes in the towns as part of the operation, in what was the fifth successive day of action across the Limerick County Garda Community Engagement Area, following similar operations in Abbeyfeale, Newcastle West, Rathkeale, and Kilmallock over the past few months.
Gardaí said their goal was to respond to the needs of communities in tackling varying issues such as anti-social behaviour, road safety, and compliance with various legislation.
The chain of operations are well-planned in advance and require plentiful resources and logistics, as well as the cooperation of the Courts Services, to deal specifically with a large number of warrants at short notice.
A Garda spokesman said that “10-multi agency checkpoints were conducted, resulting in the seizure of two vehicles for various offences”.
“A number of other roadside detections were made by the RSA, DSP, and Revenue Customs.”
The spokesman added that “35 persons were arrested on foot of outstanding bench warrants,” all of whom were “bailed to subsequent sittings appropriate to their warrants in the coming weeks”.
Two further arrests were made for driving offences.
One driver has been charged to appear before the courts at a later date and the other driver was released pending file to the DPP.
“Active beat patrols were carried out in Askeaton town and Pallaskenry village with a focus on community engagement,” Gardaí said.
“Dog wardens from Limerick City and County Council conducted their own enquiries and patrols locally with assistance from Gardaí.”
During an earlier day of action in Abbeyfeale on March 4, a massive 44 arrests were made. 33 arrests were made in Rathkeale on December 19 last, and 14 in Limerick City on March 26.
