Illegal fireworks seized in crackdown on organised crime in Kilkenny

By COLIN BARTLEY

ILLEGAL fireworks bound for the Halloween market were discovered when gardai raided a county Kilkenny premises as part of a planned operation targeting organised crime.

Gardai discovered €2,300 worth of fireworks after they entered a building in Graiguenamanagh this week.

During the day long operation on Wednesday, gardai seized three vehicles under Section 41 of the Road Traffic Act and recovered a stolen bike.

Gardai arrested a total of 28 men in the Thomastown Garda District during the course of the day long operation.

Three men were charged and remanded in custody to prison, while 10 others were charged and bailed to appear in a sitting of the District Court over the coming weeks. Two men were charged and brought before Carlow District Court, while another two men were released with files being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecution.

The offences included fraud, theft, assault, burglary, drug offences and sexual offences. Seven warrants were also executed as part of the exercise.