A man in his 60s has been arrested in connection with claims ‘protection’ money was paid to criminals to stop attacks on Dublin City Council building sites.

It comes after the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) uncovered evidence suggesting building companies working on behalf of the council were shelling out up to €1,500 a week to stop intimidation of workers at three construction sites.

At a High Court hearing earlier this year, CAB claimed officials from the council were aware of what was happening and recommended the money be paid.

The court accepted CABs evidence and confiscated assets from two people under the Proceeds of Crime Acts.

The evidence was also handed to Gardaí and a criminal investigation has been ongoing since December last year.

The man in his 60s was arrested yesterday and brought to Clondalkin Garda Station. He has since been released without charge.

Gardaí said a file is being prepared for the DPP.

Investigators are appealing to all victims of intimidation and extortion to report it to Gardaí.

They are also calling on anyone who knows anything about people living on the proceeds of crime to come forward.