Gardaí have carried out searches at 22 premises across Ireland in the past two days as part of a crackdown on organised prostitution.

One man was arrested in Swords, Co Dublin, during the searches.

The searches come after a six month investigation into the activities of a criminal, group involved in organised prostitution, brothel keeping and other associated criminal activity.

Europol worked closely with the Gardaí as part of an initiative targeting organised crime gang active throughout Europe.

Gardaí searched apartments, flats and houses in; Letterkenny, Dundalk, Clonmel, Waterford, Cavan, Mullingar, Limerick, Ballina, Ennis, Newbridge, Cork and 11 locations in the Dublin area.

The operation was undertaken by more than 60 gardaí, including detective units and uniformed gardaí.

During the search gardaí found a number of women at the locations. The women were interviewed and “offered support and advice”, the garda press office said.

Gardaí say they found “evidence of suspected prostitution activity ... at a number of these locations.” Mobile phones, documentation, computers and money were seized.

A male aged in his 30s was arrested during the search of an apartment in Swords yesterday morning. He was arrested on suspicion of money laundering and detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at Ballymun Garda Station. He was was released without charge this evening (5/12/2014) pending a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions.