THE home of a Limerick-based garda who was arrested last week was extensively searched as part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged criminal offence, it can be revealed.

The well-known garda, who is aged in his 40s, was arrested at the garda station where he works by members of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI) who travelled to Limerick from Dublin.

Following his arrest, the garda, who has been involved in several high profile investigations during his time working in the Limerick division, was taken to Roscrea garda station in County Tipperary where he was detained and questioned under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

He was released without charge the following day and a file is to be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions in relation to the matter.

“A garda member was arrested on January 23 and detained at a garda station. The garda was held in relation to the investigation of a criminal offence and released without charge on Thursday morning, January 24,” said a garda spokesperson.

The objective of last week’s search or whether anything of an evidential value was found has not been disclosed.

The operation involved gardai from Dublin and officers in the garda district where the garda lives were not informed in advance.

“Everybody is talking about it. There were a lot of gardai involved. There are all sorts of rumours floating about but nobody knows for sure what is all about,” one local resident told the Limerick Leader this week.

It’s understood that sections of a garden at the garda’s home were dug up by specialist search teams during the operation which lasted for some time.

While confirming details of the arrest, a garda spokesperson declined to elaborate on the search saying: “We don’t go into the particulars of a search operation”.

Colleagues of the garda who was arrested are said to have been shocked at his arrest which came as a total surprise and out of the blue.

Many of are also upset at the manner of his arrest and the handling of the fallout.

While the nature of alleged offence under investigation has not been disclosed, gardai have confirmed that a second man was also arrested and questioned on the same day.

The man, whose aged in his 30s, was detained and questioned at Nenagh garda station following his arrest.

He too was released without charge pending directions from the DPP.

It’s understood he is connected with a business which is operating in Limerick city.

Some national media reports have suggested last week’s search was connected with the activities of a criminal organisation which operates in the Limerick area.