11 people have been arrested as part of Operation Vantage – the Garda investigation into Sham marriages and immigration issues.
The operation was set up in August by the Garda National Immigration Bureau to investigate illegal immigration and identify marriages of convenience.
42 searches have been carried out today in Dublin – Kildare – Meath – Longford – Louth – Cork – Limerick and Mayo involving over 200 Gardai.
9 men and two women have been arrested today and 30 thousand euro in cash – a stun gun – computers, memory devices, phones and documents were seized.
55 formal objections to pending marriages have been made through the new legislation and 22 people have been arrested and charged.
A further 30 marriages have not proceeded as both parties failed to show following Garda enquiries.
Operation Vantage has also uncovered a number of people subject to deportation orders attempting to avail of marriages of convenience. In addition 2 convicted non-EU national sex offenders were attempting to register to marry – both of whom have since been arrested.
