UPDATE: Seven men arrested, three appear in court, in major crime clampdown in Kilkenny

By COLIN BARTLEY

A FURTHER four men have been arrested in follow up searches to a major planned garda operation in the city this morning.

Three men who were arrested this morning in the Wetlands area of Kilkenny city are set to appear in court.

The four men arrested later in the day are currently being questioned by gardai.

Up to 30 gardai were involved in a major planned operation in Kilkenny this morning which resulted in the first three men being arrested.

Uniformed gardai and detectives entered a halting site at Wetlands, armed with search warrants. They arrested the three male suspects at that location and brought them to Kilkenny Garda station for questioning.

Two of the men have been charged with trespassing offences, while the third was charged on the back of outstanding warrants. They are set to appear before Kilkenny District Court.

The later four arrests are in connection with a number of offences including assault causing harm, theft, and trespass.

The operation began shortly after 7am and continued throughout the day.