GARDAÍ have been criticised for carrying out a number of "armed raids" on the homes and boats of fishermen in the south.

No arrests or seizures are believed to have been made following the operations, which took place in the west Cork fishing communities of Castletownbere, Baltimore and Union Hall.

It has been claimed that one mother, who was contacted by the gardaí ahead of a search, had to seek medical attention once the operation was completed.

Sinn Féin North Kerry TD Martin Ferris said he re­mains suspended from the Dáil having persisted in demanding answers from justice minister Dermot Ahern on the issue earlier this month.

He claims that a number of the fishermen involved had been targeted before but that no arrests have been made following searches for log books and receipts detailing fishing catches.

Gardaí confirmed that a number of searches of both vessels and premises in west Cork had taken place "as part of an ongoing investigation" although the nature of that investigation remains unclear.

Ferris claims the raids were carried out by armed gardaí two weeks ago in conjunction with members of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA), a body established in 2006 to safeguard Ireland's fishery resources.

However, gardaí denied the SFPA played any role in targeting homes of fishermen.

"The SFPA provided technical support with regard to the searches carried out by gardaí of two fishing vessels," a garda spokesman said.

"The SFPA was not involved in the searches of premises or dwelling places."