SHOCK AT DISCOVERY OF GUNS AND AMMO
Find was made near schools in Ballywaltrim
INVESTIGATIONS are ongoing following the discovery of two firearms and ammunition in a ditch in the Ballywaltrim area on Friday.
As part of Operation Thor, Gardaí from Bray carried out a search on an area of wasteland situated within close proximity to local schools. The firearms were discovered and have been taken to the Forensic Science Laboratory for analysis.
The discovery was described as ‘very worrying’ by Deputy John Brady.
‘It’s very worrying that these are in the area first and foremost and secondly, that they would be left out in an area where there are an awful lot of children. It’s frightening,’ he said.
Deputy Brady went on to say that, if the site in question is the one he believes it to be, it has been a hub for anti-social behaviour for a long time. He said that it is under council ownership, adding that that he has been calling for them to take action for a number of years.
INVESTIGATIONS are ongoing following the discovery of two firearms and ammunition in a ditch in the Ballywaltrim area on Friday.
As part of Operation Thor, Gardaí from Bray carried out a search on an area of wasteland situated within close proximity to local schools. The firearms were discovered in a ditch and have been take to the Forensic Science Laboratory for analysis.
Deputy John Brady said that the discovery of the firearms in the area was ‘very worrying’.
‘It’s very worrying that these are in the area first and foremost and secondly, that they would be left out in an area where there are an awful lot of children. It’s frightening,’ he said.
‘ There have been different rumours and speculation that they were found near a playground. If they were found on the site that locals are saying, it is not near a playground but there are children in the area and a school across the road.’
Deputy Brady said that if the site is the one that he believes it to be, it has been a hub for anti-social behaviour for sev- eral years.
‘If it is where I think it is, there has been a lot of trouble there. There have been different camps set up there and drinking and drug taking,’ he said, saying that the site is under council ownership. He said that he has been calling on the council to take action against the behaviour for several years.
‘ There has been some limited action there. At one point, there was some illegal dumping so the council secured a metal barrier across the front. Another side entrance has never been secured so people have been able to gain access. There have been fires and parties and it has been a real pain for residents in the area.’
Deputy Brady said that the site has been earmarked for the construction of housing but that no exact plan is in place of yet. He added that he has been calling on the council for years to do something about the anti-social behaviour on the site.
‘Obviously it needs to be secured and cleared out completely,’ he said. ‘I’m asking the council to do it and also, there is a huge role for the gardai there.’
Deputy Brady said that he commended the Gardai for taking the weapons off the streets.
‘I would appeal to anyone in the area with information to bring it to the Gardai,’ he said.