It's claimed the Gardaí are about three decades behind comparable police services when it comes to equipment.

Nine counties are still without refuge centres according to the TD.

Gardaí told the court that the accused was found with the stolen goods in his possession.

Nationally, the majority of the support went to Cork and Dublin

150 items were recovered by prison service staff from the Roscommon prison last year.

The search operation was carried out under Operation Tara.

The project is a collaboration between a number of organisations including the Joint Policing Committee.

The separate incidents took place last Sunday in Athlone