Gardaí have arrested 51 people and carried out 19 planned searches in Kilkenny over the past three days.

Fifteen of those arrested were detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act at various garda stations in Kilkenny/Carlow.

Seven of those were charged in connection with assault, misuse of drugs, theft and fraud investigations.

They are due to appear before Kilkenny District Court at later dates.

While 35 people were arrested for court related-offences.

One person was detained for the purpose of charge and appeared before Kilkenny District Court on Tuesday.

The planned searches were carried out by garda teams at a number of locations in the Kilkenny district.

Quantities of heroin and cannabis herb were seized - along with diesel, power tools and gas cylinders.

The value of the heroin, pending analysis, is €1,200 - while €2,500 of cannabis herb and €3,000 of diesel were discovered.

Gardaí also conducted a total of 28 checkpoints, while crime prevention leaflets were handed out to members of the public.

These were to increase awareness of protection of personal property.

The operation was carried out under Operation Thor/Project Storm - which is is a high visibility, targeted tactical deployment in Kilkenny-Carlow.

It is designed to prevent crime, disrupt criminal activity, arrest criminals wanted on warrant and enhance public relations.