Gardaí and PSNI step up border checks to tackle crime in Louth
It was led by Gardaí from the Louth/Cavan/Monaghan Division
Gardaí from the Louth/Cavan/Monaghan Division, working with the PSNI, yesterday carried out a high-visibility border operation this week aimed at preventing burglaries and rural crime in Louth and surrounding areas
Working as part of the Joint Agency Task Force (JATF), the high-visibility operation involved close co-operation between An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), which conducted a high-visibility vehicle checkpoints on the Northern Ireland side of the border.
The policing operation, with a focus on rural crime, was aimed at preventing and detecting criminality along the border and at preventing and disrupting the free movement of criminals based in the Republic and Northern Ireland.
It was led by Gardaí from the Louth/Cavan/Monaghan Division, assisted by the Garda Armed Support Unit.
The Garda operation also served as a Mandatory Intoxicating Testing (MIT) checkpoint and focused on providing a high-visibility policing presence to help reduce road deaths.
Detective Superintendent John O’Flaherty of the Louth/Cavan/Monaghan Garda Division said the work of the Joint Agency Task Force is helps to disrupt criminals using the road networks south and north of the border.
Speaking at a joint border checkpoint on the N22 at Moybridge, Co Monaghan (and A5 at Aughnacloy, Co Tyrone), he said:
"Working together, we can deny criminals the use of our owns. The border between our jurisdictions is not a barrier to effective policing, and it's not a barrier to prosecuting offenders. An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland would remind our communities to be extra vigilant this winter. If you see something out of place, please contact us on 999. Don't rely on your neighbour to contact us. They might not be at home, and their house could be burgled while they are away. This winter, keep safe and look out for each other.”
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Superintendent Peter Stevenson, PSNI District Commander for Mid Ulster said:
"This is part of the Joint Agency Task Force work that is ongoing across different border crossing points. This work is vitaly important directly in relation to the prevention of mobile organised crime gangs using the border as a means of avoiding justice. The work is really important. We are cooperating with our colleagues in An Garda Síochána for the relentless pursuit of offenders and then ultimately put them behind bars.”