Gardaí in Drogheda have arrested 18 people and seized seven cars, as part of an operation targeting feuding gangs in the town.

Officers carried out 34 searches today, as part of Operation Stratus.

In the past few months, the gang feud has escalated and since last summer gardaí have dealt with over 70 incidents.

The incidents were directly connected to the violence which has included shootings, petrol bomb and pipe bomb attacks.

Thirty houses were searched today across the area and four other drugs searches took place.

Sixteen people were arrested on foot of outstanding warrants and all have been brought before the courts.

Two other men, aged 23 and 19, were arrested on suspicion of the Commission of Criminal Acts within the Drogheda District in recent weeks.

As part of the same day of action, the road policing unit seized seven cars and issued 38 on the spot penalty notices for various road traffic offences.

One woman was arrested under the public order act.

Both the Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan vowed to bring the violence in Drogheda to an end.

Next week, 25 new gardaí will be stationed in the town as part of a continuing effort to bring the feud under control.