Alan 'Fatpuss' Bradley and his brother Wayne were among seven people detained after gardai moved in to prevent a robbery on a Chubb security van in Celbridge, Co Kildare.

The Bradleys, who have been described by gardai as "notorious" criminals, were arrested in a car 200 yards away from where the robbery occurred. They were found in possession of balaclavas, but their distance away from where the heist occurred could mean that they will be released without charge tomorrow with a file on the incident being sent to the DPP.

Gardai are very confident that there is enough evidence to charge the two men, although perhaps not immediately. Officers from the National Surveillance Unit have photographs of the gang members meeting on Friday morning and driving to the scene of the robbery.

They also have films of the Bradleys doing dry runs of the robbery last month. The pair have been under surveillance for five weeks.

Gardai say that fear of another Lusk-type incident . . . where two armed robbers were shot dead by undercover officers . . . meant they moved quickly to stop the robbery as soon as it occurred.

Previously, gardai would have waited until the raid was under way and all the suspects were in position before moving.

It is also possible that the man who has taken over from murdered crime lord, Martin 'Marlo' Hyland, will also be released without charge pending a file to the DPP.

An employee with Chubb is still being detained. It is believed that he provided the criminal gang with a key to the security van and details of where the vehicle would be.

He does not have any previous convictions and had never come to the attention of the authorities before. Gardai say they anticipate at least two men being charged over the coming days.

Officers regard Friday's operation as a major victory against organised crime in the capital.