Gardaí have arrested 10 men in eight counties in connection with burglaries spanning an 18-month period.
A number of arrests and searches were carried out this morning as part of what gardaí described as an ongoing intelligence-led operation targeting organised crime in the south and south east regions.
"The specific investigations concerned a large number of similar burglaries that occurred at various business premises in counties Carlow, Cork, Kerry, Kilkenny, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford in a period spanning October 2008 and May 2010," a Garda spokesman said.
Ten men have been arrested and they are being detained at Waterford, Thurles, Thomastown, New Ross, Mallow and Cahir Garda Stations under section 50 of The Criminal Justice Act.
Their ages vary from 30 to 44 years. All are Albanian.
A Garda spokesman said the operation, codenamed Crake, was supported by foreign investigators through the Interpol agency. It is understood it has been running for several months.
The gangs targeted shops including petrol stations and local stores, financial institutions including post offices, bars and nightspots and a church.
A Garda spokesman said there were a total of 49 break-ins and robberies.