Homemade guns seized in Tralee

GARDAÍ DISCOVER IMPROVISED GUNS AND AMMUNITION IN HOUSE RAID

A MAN has been arrested in the Tralee area following a raid on a house last week in which a number of improvised ‘homemade’ firearms were discovered.

Gardaí said they arrested a man in his 40s and seized a number of what appeared to be homemade guns and an amount of commercially made ammunition following a search at a house in the Tralee area last Thursday, November 29, shortly after 12 noon.

During the search operation Gardaí discovered a number of what were described as “apparent homemade firearm devices”.

A quantity of ammunition was also discovered in the property.

The scene was preserved for technical and forensic examination.

An Eastern European man was arrested at the scene.

He was then detained and questioned under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939 at Tralee Garda Station.

It is understood that the improvised weapons will be sent to the Garda forensic laboratory in Dublin for further testing.

These tests will be carried out to ascertain whether or not they are viable weapons that are actually capable of firing.

The man – who was described as a ‘firearms enthusiast’ – has since been released without charge, and a Garda spokesperson said that a file on the matter will now be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Gardaí have said it is not thought that the guns were destined to be used for criminal purposes, but their enquiries are ongoing.

Tim and Seán Pollmann-Daamer pictured receiving a cheque from Siobhán Creedon of the boys basketball team TK Bobcats.