50 arrested in Op Storm in South Kilkenny

Operation Storm raids in Thomastown and Kilkenny have resulted in a total of 50 arrests.

140 Gardai and recruits from Templemore carried out 20 planned searches in South Kilkenny.

There were 11 drugs seizures and illegal fireworks were also taken.

30 arrests were for outstanding warrants while 20 were for burglary, theft and drugs offences.

16 people have been charged – one man with a massive total of 65 separate charges.

The most significant drugs seizure was from the discovery of a grow-house in Castlewarren which yielded a haul of herbal cannabis with an estimated street value of €4,000.