Gardai in Clare investigating illegal money lending have arrested 11 people. The arrests were carried out in the Kilrush area.

Several state agencies were also involved in the raids. Six women and five men are in custody.

They range in age from between 18 to 55 years.

They are being held at various garda stations in Clare, Limerick and Galway under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

They were detained following searches in the Kilrush area which were carried out this morning from 7am.

They were carried out at a number of premises, including private and business premises.

The operation involved local gardaí assisted by Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB), Regional Support Unit, Special Detective Units from Galway, the National Criminal Intelligence Unit as well as officials from Revenue, Social Welfare and Clare County Council.

The investigation has been on-going for several months. It centres around complaints received from individuals and is focused on people suspected of being engaged in unlicensed money lending.