Sunday 1 November 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 2624Unspecified (joint operation targeting international organised criminal activity) · Co. Kerry

Two men charged over organised crime in Shannon Estuary

A joint operation by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau and Revenue Customs Service targeted international organised criminal activity in January 2025. Four men aged 30, 31, 39 and 45 were arrested at Meenogahane, Co. Kerry, on 13 January, and a 28-year-old man was arrested on a cargo vessel at anchor in the Shannon Estuary on 15 January. Two further men in their 30s and 40s were arrested on the same cargo vessel on 18 January. All were arrested on suspicion of an offence under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, facilitating or enhancing a criminal organisation to commit a serious offence. The two men arrested on 18 January have been charged and are due to appear at Tralee District Court on 20 January 2025.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested1 Jan
    2 reports
  3. Charged1 Jan
  4. In court1 Jan
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A joint operation by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau and Revenue Customs Service targeted international organised criminal activity.
  • Four men aged 30, 31, 39 and 45 were arrested at Meenogahane, Co. Kerry, on 13 January 2025.
  • A 28-year-old man was arrested on a cargo vessel at anchor in the Shannon Estuary on 15 January 2025.
  • Two men in their 30s and 40s were arrested on the cargo vessel on 18 January 2025.
Where
The cargo vessel was at anchor in the Shannon Estuary; the four men were arrested at Meenogahane, Co. Kerry.
When
Arrests took place between 13 and 18 January 2025.
Charges
All suspects were arrested on suspicion of an offence under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, facilitating or enhancing a criminal organisation to commit a serious offence.
Investigation
  • The suspects are detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007 at Garda stations in Co. Clare and Co. Kerry.
  • Investigations are ongoing.
In court
  • The five males arrested on 13 and 15 January were due to appear at Killarney District Court on 17 January 2025 at 6:00pm to be charged.
  • The two men arrested on 18 January have been charged and are due to appear at Tralee District Court on 20 January 2025 at 10:30am.
24 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatTwo men in their 30s and 40s were arrested on a cargo vessel anchored in the Shannon Estuary (garda.ie)
  • whatFive males were arrested in connection with the investigation. (garda.ie)
  • whatTwo men were arrested on board a cargo vessel at anchor in the Shannon Estuary. (garda.ie)
  • whatThe two men are in their 30s and 40s. (garda.ie)
  • whatRevenue Customs Service officers, supported by Gardaí from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, boarded and searched a cargo vessel at anchor in the Shannon Estuary. (garda.ie)
  • whatA male aged 28 was arrested on the cargo vessel on suspicion of an offence under Section 72 Criminal Justice Act 2006. (garda.ie)
  • whatFour males aged 30, 31, 39 and 45 were arrested at Meenogahane, Co. Kerry, on 13 January 2025 on suspicion of an offence under Section 72 Criminal Justice Act 2006. (garda.ie)
  • whereThey are held at Garda stations in County Clare. (garda.ie)
  • whereThe 28-year-old man was detained at a Garda station in Co. Clare. (garda.ie)
  • whereThe four men are detained at Garda stations in Co. Kerry. (garda.ie)
  • whenThe arrest took place on 18 January 2025 (garda.ie)
  • whenThe arrests took place on 18 January 2025. (garda.ie)
  • whenThe cargo vessel was boarded and searched on 15 January 2025. (garda.ie)
  • investigationThe arrest was part of a joint Gardaí and Revenue operation targeting international organised criminal activity (garda.ie)
  • investigationInvestigations are ongoing. (garda.ie)
  • investigationThe operation was conducted jointly by the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau and Revenue Customs Service. (garda.ie)
  • investigationThe two men are detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007. (garda.ie)
  • investigationInvestigations into the matter are ongoing. (garda.ie)
  • chargeThe five males are to be charged at the court appearance. (garda.ie)
  • chargeThey were arrested on suspicion of an offence under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006. (garda.ie)
  • chargeThe offence is facilitating or enhancing a criminal organisation to commit a serious offence. (garda.ie)
  • courtThe men are scheduled to appear before Tralee District Court on 20 January 2025 at 10:30am (garda.ie)
  • courtThe five males are due to appear before Killarney District Court at 6:00pm. (garda.ie)
  • otherThe operation is a joint Gardaí and Revenue operation targeting international organised criminal activity. (garda.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Jan2025
    Arrestedgarda.ie, follow-up
    Gardaí and Revenue Joint Operation targeting International Organised Criminal ActivityvGardaí and Revenue Joint Operation targeting International Organised Criminal Activity

    Provides details of a 28-year-old man arrested on the cargo vessel on 15 January and four men (aged 30, 31, 39, 45) arrested at Meenogahane, Co. Kerry, on 13 January, all under Section 72 Criminal Justice Act 2006, and confirms they are detained under Section 50 Criminal Justice Act 2007.

    suspect, 28, malesuspect, 30, malesuspect, 31, malesuspect, 39, malesuspect, 45, male
  2. 1 Jan2025
    Arrestedgarda.ie, follow-up
    Update (2): Further Arrests - Gardaí and Revenue Joint Operation targeting International Organised Criminal Activity

    Initial arrest announcement identifying the specific charge under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, the agencies involved (Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau and Revenue Customs Service), and the detention location in Co. Clare.

    suspect, 30s, malesuspect, 40s, male
  3. 1 Jan2025
    In courtgarda.ie, follow-up
    Update (Court Appearance) - Gardaí and Revenue Joint Operation targeting International Organised Criminal Activity

    Official Garda press release confirming the court appearance date and time for five males in the joint Gardaí and Revenue operation.

    suspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, male
  4. 1 Jan2025
    Chargedgarda.ie, first report
    Update (3): Further Arrests - Gardaí and Revenue Joint Operation targeting International Organised Criminal Activity

    Third update in the series confirming that the two men arrested on the cargo vessel have been charged and will appear at Tralee District Court on 20 January 2025.

    suspect, 30s, malesuspect, 40s, male