Gardaí arrest 17 people as part of crackdown targeting robbery, burglary and theft

Gardaí have arrested 17 people as part of an operation targeting recent robbery, burglary, and theft in the North Dublin area.

Gardaí from the DMR North Division have arrested and charged 17 individuals in connection with ongoing investigations under Operation Thor and Operation Táirge, targeting recent incidents of robbery, burglary and theft in the North Dublin area.

A total of 38 charges are being brought against those arrested in this phase of the investigation.

16 individuals are scheduled to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice today, Thursday, at 10:30am, while one individual will appear before the Children’s Court in Smithfield.

Investigations are ongoing, a garda spokesperson confirmed.

Operation Thor was launched in November 2015 and is designed to tackle the anticipated increase in the number of burglaries and associated criminal activity that usually occur in winter months by undertaking targeted enforcement and preventative activity. 

This initiative has successfully reduced the rate of winter burglaries, leading to a significant decline in property-related crime since its introduction in 2015.

The winter phase of Operation Thor commenced on October 1 2024 and will run until the end of March 2025.

Operation Táirge is part of An Garda Síochána’s Crime Prevention and Reduction Strategy supporting operational activity aimed at detecting and preventing Organised Retail Crime (ORC).

Organised retail crime (ORC) typically refers to situations where a number of persons are acting together, targeting retailer outlets to steal significant quantities of goods to resell back into the retail supply chain through the black market. 

It can also involve refund fraud with the purpose of making a financial or material benefit. ORC is usually co-ordinated and well-organised by people who recruit others to commit theft from retailers.

Operation Táirge is led by the Organised Retail Crime Tasking and Co-ordination Group within An Garda Síochána and supports each Garda region to monitor and respond to emerging trends in their area.