An initial Garda examination suggests that a loaded machinegun found by two boys while playing in a Dublin suburb "was not in working order".
The boys' mother claimed gardai said they were very busy and suggested she bring it to Ballyfermot station herself. However, Ms Paula McGrath, of Culmore Road, Palmerstown, confirmed that the gardai had indicated that the only available patrol car could not get to the scene "for at least an hour", and she had been anxious to get rid of the gun as soon as possible.
Mark (14) and Barry (11) discovered the weapon wrapped in plastic and inside the hollow of a tree immediately behind their back garden, within yards of where they were playing.
After the boys found the machinegun with a silencer on Monday evening, they showed it to a neighbour who suggested it could be primed. Ms McGrath then rang Ballyfermot station.
After it was brought to the station, it was later handed over to the bureau for forensic examination. Details of the make, age and condition of the weapon would not be known until a forensic report was completed, a senior Garda spokesman said.
Ms Whelan said it was clear the gun was loaded with at least one bullet. "We were glad to get it off our hands. I just wanted to get rid of it as soon as possible. It could have been dangerous. Thankfully nothing happened, and it's now with the gardai."
