Suspected illegal cigarettes seized in Mullingar

A garda raid uncovered a large amount of suspected illegal cigarettes at the weekend. Gardaí in Mullingar carried out a search in a housing estate in Mullingar and during the course of the search seized a substantial quantity of cigarettes.

Gardaí estimate that the haul comprises up to 20,000 cigarettes, and they believe that excise duty was not paid on them.

A spokesperson said the investigation is at an early stage: "This was a targeted operation. It was part of ongoing enquiries in relation to ongoing criminality in the district.

"The quantity of cigarettes seized is significant and inquiries are ongoing, because there is a possibility that they could be legal. The onus is now on the owner to prove that they are for personal use."

The seized cigarettes will now be analysed to determine if they are genuine or counterfeit.

Rochfortbridge arrest

Mullingar gardaí have also confirmed that a juvenile was arrested in Rochfortbridge as a result of an alleged assault causing harm on April 15 last. Gardaí were alerted to an incident on the Main Street at 3pm. There was an allegation that there was an altercation between a number of youths. Suspects have been identified in relation to the incident.

Kinnegad incident

The Westmeath Examiner has received information that on Sunday night two men were arrested by the quick action of gardaí in Kinnegad. They were allegedly attempting to break in to a car in the Boreen Bradach area at about 11pm Sunday. Once alerted, gardaí arrived within minutes and two men were detained.