Man due before Kilkenny Court in relation to theft of vehicles

Gardaí have charged a teenager who was arrested on Saturday, as part of an operation targeting persons suspected of being involved in the theft of vehicles in the Eastern Region.

He is due to appear before Kilkenny District Court this morning.

The three male teenage youths who were also arrested as part of this investigation have been released without charge pending a referral to the Garda Youth Diversion Programme.

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Gardaí had arrested the four males as part of an ongoing investigation into the theft of vehicles in the Eastern Region in recent weeks.

On Saturday evening, gardaí in the Naas District conducted an operation targeting persons suspected of being involved in the theft of vehicles.

A vehicle, which was recently reported as stolen, was observed travelling on the M7. A managed containment operation was put in place with assistance from gardaí in Carlow. The vehicle was located a short time later on the N80.

Two male teenage youths were arrested and detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a Garda station in Co. Carlow.

A second vehicle, which was recently reported as stolen, was observed travelling in the Newbridge area and failed to stop for gardaí. The vehicle was discovered abandoned a short distance away. Two male teenagers (one of which is a youth) were arrested in the vicinity and detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda station in Co. Kildare.

The two stolen vehicles were recovered by investigating Gardaí and are subject to a technical examination.

Investigations are ongoing.