THREE members of An Garda Síochána who were arrested yesterday in connection with an anti-corruption operation have been released without charge and suspended from duty.
The Superintendent, Inspector and Garda detective were detained on Thursday morning following raids in Limerick, Tipperary and Dublin.
The trio were questioned as part of an investigation into a Munster-based crime gang led by the Assistant Commissioner and the Special Crimes Operations (SCO), involving personnel attached to the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI) and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB).
All three Gardaí were suspended from duty immediately upon their release on Friday morning and a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), a statement said.
The Superindendent had been questioned on suspicion of passing on confidential information obtained in the course of his or her duties.
The Inspector was arrested over suspected breaches of the Misuse of Drugs Act, while the ranking Garda was arrested under suspicion of perverting the course of justice.
A total of four Gardaí have now been questioned as part of the probe, according to RTÉ News.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar described the arrests as a "serious development" while justice minister Charlie Flanagan said he expected a "thorough and timely investigation" into the allegations.
