GARDAI have detained three men in their bid to catch burglars responsible for a crimewave across the county, Donegal Daily can reveal.
The men, all with addresses in Yorkshire but believed to be based in Derry, are understood to be members of an English Travelling community gang.
A Garda patrol specifically checking rural areas outside Ramelton stopped a UK-registered car.
None of the three men had ID, so all three were detained and taken to Letterkenny Garda Station for questioning.
They were not formally arrested but had fingerprints and photographs taken. The men could not explain what they were doing in the Ballyare area on Tuesday.
The men’s detention has been described by Gardai as “extremely significant”. There have also been a number of stop and search patrols in the past 48 hours in Inishowen, Raphoe, Convoy, Lifford, St Johnston and Pettigo.
It’s understood Gardai in a number of unmarked vehicles have been carrying out patrols.
Intelligence gathered on the gangs suspected of a wave of robberies – with up to 20 victims – has been given to Gardai by the PSNI.