Machine gun given in after falling from officer’s car
GARDAI are trying to establish how a bag with a loaded machine gun and ammunition in it belonging to an anti-terrorist unit fell out of the boot of a car.
The Heckler & Koch MP7 was handed into Store Street Garda station by a member of the public who discovered it on the street at around 6.30pm last Wednesday.
It is believed to have fallen out of an Audi Q7 after it hit a speed bump just after 6pm on Dublin’s Harcourt Street.
Justice Minsiter Charlie Flanagan said the matter is of grave concern.
Speaking to Miriam O’callaghan on RTE radio, he said: “It appears a machine gun fell out of the back of a car and was handed in by a very civic-minded citizen to the gardai.
“The issue is currently the subject matter of an investigation by a chief superintendent.
“It is a matter of grave concern. I’m very concerned about the issue and looking forward to an early report.
“Clearly something went wrong. Something happened here that shouldn’t have happened.”
A Garda spokesman said a senior officer had been appointed to examine the circumstances, including the mechanics and road worthiness of the car.