GARDAÍ attached to the Clare / Tipperary division have arrested a man as part of investigations into organised retail theft.

A man in his 40s was arrested on Monday as part of Operation Táirge.

This investigation is into multiple thefts from retail outlets carried out nationwide between July 2020 and February 2024 by an Eastern European Organised Crime Gang. The alleged thefts primarily involve premium alcohol and spirits with an estimated potential loss to the retailers in excess of €30,000.

The man is currently detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007 at a Garda station in the Clare/Tipperary Division. Investigations are ongoing.

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.

The co-ordination group also maintains close contact with Retailers and Business groups and as is often the case in organised crime, organised retail crime can involve an international dimension, therefore the co-ordination group is also maintaining its close working relationships with international counterparts.