Gardai arrest five people as part of Operation Coatee which targets 'bogus insurance claims'

Gardai arrested five people in a crackdown on theft and fraud offences on Tuesday.

Operation Coatee saw officers arrested three males (40s, 20s and late teens) and two females (40s and late 60s) in relation to follow-up searches that were conducted in a number of locations on the April 24 in relation to the charges.

They are currently detained at Dublin Garda stations and investigations are ongoing.

Assistant Commissioner John O’Driscoll of Special Crime Operations, said: “The Garda Síochána is determined to identify all those persons who are involved in the making of bogus insurance claims and to maximise its potential to initiate prosecution, through engaging in coordinated operation activity, such as that undertaken today.

Assistant Commissioner, Special Crime Ops, John O'Driscoll during a Garda briefing in relation to organised crime at Harcourt Square, Dublin (Gareth Chaney/Collins)

“Where financial gain has already been achieved by those involved in this form of criminality the Garda Síochána will utilise available legislation to identify relevant assets and target them for seizure."

Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty accusing insurance industry of exaggerating the issue of fraudulent claims