Probe as gun and ammunition go missing from Garda station

THE Garda Commissioner has appointed a senior garda to investigate a missing firearm and ammunition from Tipperary Garda Station.

The revolver, along with what is believed to be up to 60 rounds of ammunition, was recorded as missing from a secure area where firearms are stored at the station during an audit last week.

Chief Superintendent Michael McGarry from the Kilkenny division has been asked to investigate the disappearance of the .38-calibre Smith and Wesson gun and ammunition.

A Garda spokesman last night confirmed a gun and ammunition were missing and said a senior garda was appointed to the investigation almost immediately after the gun’s disappearance.

The Irish Examiner understands the revolver was a garda-issued weapon but belonged to the station and not to any one member of An Garda Síochána.

Guns are usually stored in stations in secure areas, such as safes and locked cupboards.

Smaller stations normally have on site at least one small firearm, such as a revolver, and sometimes heavier arms.

It is understood that a limited number of gardaí are responsible for accessing the weapons and giving them out to gardaí.

It is understood the gun at Tipperary Garda Station would have been accessible to gardaí from the Garda district from several nearby stations.

While at least six rounds went missing with the gun, initial inquiries now suggest that up to 60 rounds or possibly more are missing.

The investigation follows yesterday’s confirmation by Justice Minister Dermot Ahern that sensitive Garda files on a number of gang members were brought to a photocopying shop for printing and were then left unattended for a period of time.