Builders find guns and bullets at flats
GARDAÍ are investigating after builders discovered three firearms and a large quantity of ammunition while carrying out renovation work at a Dublin flat complex.
The weapons found at the O’Devaney Gardens complex in the north inner-city include an assault rifle, a Glock pistol and a 9mm handgun.
A senior source last night said the weapons were “functional” and in “very good nick” and were believed to have been stashed there recently. The “completely random” discovery is being investigated by gardaí from the Bridewell station and the weapons will be subject to ballistic examinations.
One explanation being explored is the arsenal was to be used as part of the bitter Hutch/Kinahan feud which has claimed 18 lives. But a source stressed that the investigation was in the very early stages.
“The truth is gardaí do not know who owned these weapons. If detectives had been aware of their existence, it would not have been the builders who found the cache,” a senior source said last night.
A Garda spokesperson said yesterday: “Gardaí in Bridewell are investigating the discovery of a number of firearms in the Bridewell area of Dublin. Investigations are ongoing and we have no further information available at this stage.”
Work to regenerate the flat complex in the north inner-city began last month. Half of all units at O’Devaney Gardens – located beside Phoenix Park – are for either social housing or affordable/cost-rental models, while the rest are to go into the private sector. Dublin City Council voted to allow for the redevelopment of the complex to proceed back in 2016.