Five men have been arrested in connection with an major garda operation into violent burglaries on jewellery shops around the country.
Gardaí carried out a number of raids in Balbriggan, Donabate, Blanchardstown and the north inner city early this morning as part of the crackdown targeting Romanian organised crime gangs.
Several staff members were assaulted in the course of the robberies.
The investigation was carried out by the newly formed Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau supported by the Emergency Response Unit.
The suspects all in their mid thirties and are being held at a number of north Dublin garda stations.
Computer equipment and phones were also seized during the searches.
