Suspects held as Gardai foil planned raid

An armed gang who are believed to have been planning a robbery in Navan yesterday (Tuesday) morning were arrested following prompt action by armed detectives on patrol in the area. Garda vigilance foiled the plans of the three-man gang who were observed acting suspiciously in the Alexander Reid area, on the town's Kentstown Road, at around 10am yesterday morning. The arrests resulted from a recent major increase in the Garda presence in Meath, which includes high-visibility armed checkpoints aimed at beating rising crime. Three Dubliners who are in their 30s were arrested under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act and were taken to Navan Garda station, where they are being questioned. A firearm and a stolen car with false numberplates were seized in the operation. Two armed detectives on patrol in the Alexander Reid area yesterday morning noticed the three men acting suspiciously. As the detectives carried out a search of the vehicle, a struggle ensued and the Armed Regional Response Unit and Garda Air Support Unit were on the scene within a short time. All three men were placed under arrest and were taken to Navan Garda Station. Gardai in Meath have been on high alert as the incidence of armed robberies and burglaries are on the increase. Gardai have responded with Operation Anvil, a major anti-crime operation. Supt Michael Devine of Navan Garda Station said the public also had a role to play in crime prevention and he urged everyone to take their own steps in the fight against crime. "Householders have a role to play. We all should have working alarms installed and it is important to ensure all doors, and particularly patio doors, are locked. Do not leave Christmas presents on view as it is a temptation to burglars," he added. "Make sure cars are locked and when putting shopping in cars be aware of who is watching you and of people following you," he warned. As the recession continues, Gardai have warned of an upsurge in crime locally and the recent rise in robberies and break-ins has been met with a tightly co-ordinated response within the Meath Garda Division. The county had seen an increase in attacks on homes and businesses during the past year and Inspector Kieran McEneaney of divisional headquarters in Navan has warned that crime levels are likely to increase as the economic recession continues. However, he said the rising crime rates have been met with a heightened response, including high-visibility armed Garda checkpoints throughout the county. "We are not going to stand by and let crime escalate. We are being proactive and are responding to the increase in criminal activity," he said. Inspector McEneaney said this recent proactive policing initiative in the community has been very successful. "These armed checkpoints are multi-purpose and one of the effects is to disrupt criminals in their planning of their activities. This is not a quick fix and it will be ongoing to target these criminals. We want the message to go out that, if you are planning to come to Meath to commit crime, you will be caught," he warned The fight against serious crime in the county has been boosted with the establishment of a new rapid response armed unit which is available for deployment throughout the eastern region. The armed unit is based in Mullingar and serves counties Meath, Westmeath, Laois, Offaly, Kildare and Wicklow. The unit comprises four Garda sergeants and 20 specially trained gardai. The unit has been equipped with six XC70 Volvo vehicles that have been custom-made with enhanced engines and braking systems which have secure compartments to store a range of tactical equipment and firearms, including Sig Sauer 9mm pistols and Heckler & Koch submachine guns.