Cross-county car chase in Border burglary investigation

The car was chased by patrols through Stradone, up into Mountainlodge, into Moynalty in neighbouring Meath, and back into Cavan via Mullagh.

An investigation aimed at tackling cross border criminal activity led to a near hour-long 50 kilometre chase at the weekend, that ended with three people being arrested, including one person who was already unlawfully at large.

The pursuit began when gardaí on patrol attempted to intercept a car near Belturbet on Thursday evening last week, January 21, when members of the PSNI had already chased the suspect vehicle as far as the Border at Aghalane.

The intervention followed reports of several criminal incidents in the region, including a burglary earlier that same day in the Clones area, as well as several incidents currently being investigated in the North.

However, the suspect vehicle took off at speed again this time in the direction of Cavan Town, and was only brought to a halt when several garda units forced a “managed containment operation” near Bailieborough shortly after 7pm.

The car had been chased by patrols through Stradone, up into Mountainlodge, into Moynalty in neighbouring Meath, and back into Cavan via Mullagh.

On board the suspect car, and subsequently arrested at the scene, was a man aged in his late 30s and two others in their late teens.

The car was technically examined and a number of items of property were “recovered”, gardaí have confirmed.

The trio arrested were taken to Cavan and Bailieborough Garda Stations where they were detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.

They were later released without charge and files will now be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

It's understood the eldest of the three person arrested was unlawfully at large at the time and was returned into custody to Castlerea Prison.

“Investigations are ongoing,” a spokesperson for An Garda Siochana told The Anglo-Celt this week.

The spokesperson added that gardaí “continue to liaise closely” with the PSNI in tackling cross-border criminal activity.

“A managed containment operation was put in place to stop the ‘suspect’ car involving local Garda units. Enquires are ongoing in relation to burglary incidents in the region, including a burglary earlier the same day in the Clones area.”