Gardai target N2 in bid to disrupt criminals

Navan Gardai have intensified Operation Anvil along the N2 route in the past week following an assessment of recent crime patterns and Garda intelligence. Operation Anvil is aimed at tackling organised and serious crime. The Navan Garda District includes a 20km stretch of the N2 national route from Ballymagarvey at Balrath to Starinagh on the Louth/Meath border and Garda activity in the past week consisted of both covert patrols and high visibility checkpoints, some of which were backed up by members of the armed Regional Support Unit. "This operation is aimed at disrupting the movement of criminals, especially those that use the N2 for quick access to Dublin or towards the North," said Sergeant Ronan Farrelly of Navan Garda Station. "The checkpoints are liable to appear at any time on this route and on roads close to the N2 corridor. We have experienced an increase in crimes such as burglary and vehicle thefts in this part of Meath in recent times, and this is one of the reasons why we are intensifying activity in this area. A number of arrests have been made so far and suspects questioned in relation to their movements in the locality with some suspected stolen property seized," said Sgt Farrelly. "The plainclothes patrols augment the uniformed members and they are also patrolling areas where parked cars have been targeted by thieves, such as the historical sites popular with tourists. "All our local operations are kept under daily review and tactics are regularly changed," he said, adding: "However, this particular emphasis on the N2 is likely to remain a feature for some time yet."