Fourth man arrested in relation to “substantial” firearms seizure

A fourth man has been arrested in relation to the seizure of a substantial amount of firearms and ammunition in Greenogue Industrial estate near Rathcoole yesterday.

Three men aged in their 40 and 50s were arrested on Tuesday in connection with the discovery, while the fourth man was detained overnight.

In a statement released to Echo.ie a garda spokesperson said: “Gardaí have arrested a fourth man (30s) as part of this investigation.

“In total four men are currently detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939 as amended, at a number of Garda stations in the West Dublin area.

“15 firearms of various calibre and a substantial amount of cash have been seized.

“The investigation is on-going and there is no further information at present.”

Gardai believe the substantial amount of weapons and ammunition seized were to be used in an “imminent attack”, and that the seizure has without doubt “saved lives”.

Speaking at Dublin Castle yesterday Detective Superintendent Tony Howard said several of the weapons were loaded and ready for use.

He said: “A number of the firearms were actually loaded and it would appear were ready to be taken away.

He continued: “Today’s operation disrupted an imminent attack and I have no doubt we have saved lives as a result of this operation.”

The seizure at the industrial unit in Greenogue comprised of one assault rifle, one sub-machine gun, several handguns and several semi-automatic pistols, while a large amount of ammunition was also recovered.