BREAKING: Armed gardaí carry out early morning raids in the Midlands

Gardaí have carried out a string of early morning raids in Drumlish in connection to a recent spate of thefts and burglary related incidents.

The operation is understood to have led to arrests as senior detectives close in on a number of individuals that have been linked to recent break-ins in Longford.

It comes after gardaí launched an appeal last week following an attempted burglary at a quarry in Esker, Killoe.

Three males, described as wearing hoodies fled the scene last Tuesday night (May 1) as they attempted to make off with a range of batteries shortly after 8pm.

The gang escaped in a Black Passat and headed in the Edgeworthstown direction, sparking an appeal by gardaí for the public's help.

It also follows confirmation by the Longford Leader yesterday concerning the arrest of a man in connection with a robbery at a bookmakers in Edgeworthtown last Wednesday.

This operation is still ongoing, and so detectives involved have been reluctant to comment any further at this stage.

Rural burglaries and instances of crime have been on the rise right across the Midlands in counties Offaly, Laois and Longford.