Gardaí have announced that an ‘imminent threat to life attack’ was prevented in West Dublin on Tuesday December 17, which resulted in the subsequent search of two cells at Portlaoise Prison.
Gardaí from the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) units, along with the Garda National Crime & Security Intelligence Service (GNCSIS) conducted an operation as part of an intelligence-led investigation, with assistance from regular unit members in Dublin.
Follow-up searches were conducted at 18 locations in the Dublin area, along with two cells at Portlaoise Prison.
In excess of 300 members of An Garda Síochána were deployed in the course of the operation.
Shortly after 8:00pm on December 17, a vehicle was intercepted by a tactical team from the Emergency Response Unit (ERU) on Rowlagh Avenue in Clondalkin, Dublin 22.
A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of a semi-automatic Glock pistol along with a number of rounds of 9mm ammunition.
Pictured: The weapon and ammunition seized by Gardaí.
Two males, aged in their 30s & 40s, were arrested at the scene pursuant to Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 and are currently detained at a Garda station in the DMR under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007.
“The intervention by members of An Garda Síochána in West Dublin on the evening of 17th December 2024 has again resulted in the removal of a lethal firearm and ammunition from circulation,” said Assistant Commissioner Angela Willis, head of Organised & Serious Crime.
“An Garda Síochána believes the firearm was intended for use in the commission of murder(s). 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,” the Assistant Commissioner finished.
The firearm and ammunition seized will be forwarded to the Ballistics section of the Garda Technical Bureau to undergo analysis.
Investigations are ongoing.
