Gardaí say they thwarted an ‘imminent’ murder attempt after arresting two men who had a semi-automatic Glock pistol and a number of rounds of 9mm ammunition.
The gun was recovered from a vehicle that was intercepted by a tactical team from the Emergency Response Unit (ERU) in southwest Dublin on Tuesday evening.
The ERU acted on intelligence from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, units attached to the Garda National Crime & Security Intelligence Service and regular unit members from the Dublin Metropolitan Region.
The vehicle was stopped shortly after 8pm on Rowlagh Avenue in Clondalkin, Dublin 22.
Two men, in their 30s and 40s, were arrested at the scene and are being detained at a Garda station.
Follow-up searches were conducted at 18 locations in the Dublin area and two cells at Portlaoise Prison, with the assistance of the Irish Prison Service and operational support units of An Garda Síochána.
Over 300 members of An Garda Síochána were deployed in the operation.
Assistant Commissioner Angela Willis, head of organised and serious crime, said gardaí believe the firearm was intended for use in the commission of murders.
“I wish to acknowledge the members of An Garda Síochána involved in the operation for their professionalism in bringing this operation to a successful conclusion. An Garda Síochána will continue to prioritise targeting those that are the most violent and cause the most harm in communities,” she said.
The firearm and ammunition seized will be forwarded to the ballistics section of the Garda Technical Bureau to undergo analysis.
Investigations are ongoing.
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