Gardaí believe they have thwarted an imminent attempt on a person’s life after a loaded gun and a canister of petrol were discovered in a car on Wednesday night.
The discovery was made when uniformed officers on foot patrol in Dublin’s north inner city were alerted to two unoccupied vehicles parked in the area.
Following a search of the vehicles, a loaded revolver and a canister of petrol were recovered.
As the discovery did not come about due to an intelligence-led operation, Garda sources said it would be difficult to immediately determine who was involved and whether the discovery could be related to the Hutch/Kinahan feud.
“It will probably require finger prints and a technical examination to be definite on where it came from,” said a Garda source.
However, he said the force was satisfied that an imminent threat to a somebody’s life had been thwarted. “Once you find a loaded gun properly prepped and loaded, it’s not rabbits they’re going after,” he said.
The two vehicles, firearm and ammunition were seized and a technical examination will be carried out. No arrests have been made and investigations are ongoing.
In a statement, the Garda said community policing is the “underpinning philosophy and ethos” through which the force delivers a service to the community.
“The support of the community continues to be vital in the investigation of crime and An Garda Síochána are very conscious of the need to build on the considerable support we receive from the community,” it said.
