Four men have been arrested after gardaí carried out a search operation this morning in multiple counties targeting an organised crime group based in Galway.
The major operation involved gardaí from Galway, Westmeath and Offaly divisions, supported by the Armed Support Unit.
Searches were carried out at six residential properties in Ballinasloe, Co Galway; Taughmaconnell and Athlone, Co Roscommon; Athlone, Co Westmeath, as well as Banagher and Cloghan, Co Offaly.
The organised crime group in question is believed by gardaí to be involved in serious criminality including possession and discharge of firearms, drug dealing, drug intimidation, burglaries and serious assaults in east Galway and the neighbouring regions.
Four men, three in their 20s and one in his 30s, were arrested and are currently being detained at stations in the Garda north western region.
Gardaí seized two vehicles, along with phones and weapons including a machete, knives, cattle prod and a taser.
Investigations are ongoing.