Garda arrest five in Kilcullen

A large force of gardai arrested five men this afternoon in Kilcullen after a high-speed chase along the N7, writes Brian Byrne.

The men were in a Volvo car which was monitored at speeds of up to 200 km/h during the chase, which went as far south as Kilgowan before the car was driven to Kilcullen.

Members of the Armed Response Unit were involved in the operation, which has been underway for some time as part of an investigation of a number of burglaries.

The Garda helicopter was also used and hovered over the centre of Kilcullen aiding the search along the river banks after the Volvo was abandoned in the lane beside Brennans Hardware.

At least one of the men was caught in the river, and was brought up through the Camphill property.

The car was taken away for forensic examination.

The activity attracted a large crowd of onlookers who were out enjoying their Bank Holiday in downtown Kilcullen. They included young members of a Kilcullen GAA team which won a cup match today and watched the proceedings from a nearby rooftop.