A violent Dublin-based gang has avoided Garda roadblocks by taking trains as getaway transport after a series of aggravated burglaries in Co Limerick.
It is also claimed some of the gang used free travel passes.
The gang, which is based in Ballyfermot and led by a number of men who moved there from Tipperary, have been linked to violent burglaries across the country over the past five years.
It has emerged that the gang leaders travelled to Tipperary by train when they attacked homes in Co Limerick and subjected two families to horrific violence.
Shortly after both raids, the gang leaders returned to Dublin by train that night, evading Garda checkpoints set up along the N7.
Gardaí investigating the aggravated burglaries near Pallasgreen were mystified that the principal figures in the gang could not be traced, although three gang members from Cork and Limerick were arrested — two were intercepted in a stolen BMW when travelling back to Cork City.
A senior source said: “It emerged they were getting the bus to Heuston Station and taking trains to Limerick Junction on a regular basis, where they were picked up by associates from Limerick and Cork.
“They travelled by train to carry out two violent burglaries in Pallasgreen and were immediately driven straight back to Limerick Junction, just a few miles away to get a return train to Heuston Station.
“When using trains on a crime mission, they got their accomplices from Limerick and Cork to take care of what they had stolen and this was later delivered to them in Dublin.
“Irish Rail staff were able to identify the gang when shown photos by gardaí. Apparently they were regulars on the Dublin/Limerick Junction service.”
While one source claimed gang members used free travel passes obtained on spurious health grounds, this could not be confirmed.
Gardaí suspect the gang also used daily trains to Limerick Junction to carry out reconnaissance of potential target homes in North Cork, North Tipperary, and East Limerick.
Two members of the gang were recently jailed at Limerick Circuit Court.
Gardaí in Cork have also reported a rise in gangs from Dublin and Limerick using the train for shoplifting forays and drugs supply.
Mallow, in particular, has been targeted by rail-using criminals who have hit shops there. Last week, gardaí seized thousands of euro worth of drugs which were being brought into Mallow by train. They have also intercepted thieves at the station passing through after robbing sprees in Kerry.
Midleton and Cobh have also been targeted because they have rail links.
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