A number of plainclothes Gardai helped out as part of a sting in a major operation in Laois which has seen 14 people arrested for nearly 80 offences.
The targeted groups were arrested and charged earlier this week under Operation Thor - which actively targets organised crime gangs and repeat offenders through co-ordinated crime prevention and enforcement activity based on intelligence and the latest burglary trends.
And it was in full effect in the midlands over the last few days, with officers from a number of units targeting a group of people for a litany of offences
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A Garda spokesperson explained: "Over the past two days 19th/20th July 2022, Uniformed and Detective Garda in Laois have carried out a number of operations as part of Operation Thor.
"As a result of these operations 45 charges were preferred against 11 suspects during these two days.
"These charges included robbery, burglary, theft, theft from shops, criminal damage, possession of drugs for sale or supply, money laundering and drug driving."
And it wasn't just this week that the Gardai were busy.
As part of Operation Thor, three more suspects were charged over the last two weeks - being slapped with 34 offences of burglary and theft.
"All of these suspects were brought before or are due before Portlaoise District Court. As well as the arrest and charges a large number of searches were also conducted, along with checkpoints, patrols, community engagement and crime prevention advice." the spokesperson continued.
The Operation has been in place for nearly a decade now, and has proven worthwhile.
In 2015, there were in excess of 18,800 residential burglaries reported. By contrast, to the end of 2021 there were just over 6,000 residential burglaries reported, a reduction of over 66% or approximately 13,000 less residential burglaries.
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