Lithuanian murder suspect held as part of Operation Trivium

Gardaí arrest 12 and seize 26 vehicles during EU-wide move against mobile foreign gangs

A murder suspect was arrested by gardaí during an operation targeting foreign national criminals across the Republic.

Operation Trivium, which is running across the EU, is targeting criminals who have emigrated to other European countries on the run or to continue their involvement in organised crime.

The Irish strand began on Monday and is set to continue for a full 24 hours, ending on Tuesday.

Last night gardaí said they had arrested 12 suspects and seized 26 vehicles.

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The operation has a particular focus on mobile foreign gangs using the road network to travel around the State to carry out crimes. And a multi-agency approach utilising criminal and civil legislation was being used to seize vehicles and take suspects off the roads.

Among those arrested was a 29-year-old Lithuanian man who was detained under a European arrest warrant issued because he is wanted in his home country in connection with a murder there.

Gardaí also detained three foreign nationals for drink-driving, six for driving while disqualified and two for drug and offensive weapon related crimes.

The Lithuanian man detained was arrested during an intelligence-led operation in west Dublin. He was held overnight under the provisions of the European arrest warrant and was due to appear before the High Court this morning.

Under Operation Trivium gardaí established checkpoints nationwide throughout Monday, with much of the activity against suspects flagged by intelligence shared between EU members states.

Gardaí said the latest day of action, which follows a previous operation over a week in late June, would be used to gather intelligence against those foreign suspects encountered.

Conor Lally

Conor Lally

Conor Lally is Security and Crime Editor of The Irish Times