Four men have been arrested as part of an investigation into organised crime in Co Galway and neighbouring counties.
On Wednesday morning, gardaí conducted a search operation in counties Galway, Roscommon, Westmeath and Offaly.
Searches were carried out at six residential properties in Ballinasloe, Co Galway; Taughmaconnell and Athlone, Co Roscommon; Athlone, Co Westmeath, as well as Banagher and Cloghan, Co Offaly.
Four men, three in their 30s and one in his 20s were arrested and are held in a Garda station in the North Western Region.
Two vehicles were seized, along with phones and weapons including a machete, knives, cattle prod and a taser.
The organised crime group is believed to be involved in serious criminality including possession and discharge of firearms, drug dealing, drug intimidation, burglaries and serious assaults in East Galway and neighbouring Divisions.
Gardaí say investigations are ongoing.
