Explosives find ‘major blow’ to criminals

THE discovery of a substantial quantity of commercial explosives in Limerick was described by garda chiefs last night as a “major blow to criminal and subversive activities” in the Limerick region and countrywide.

In what is believed to be one of the biggest explosives finds in the country, gardaí seized a substantial quantity of commercial explosives and detonators when they raided a house in the south side of Limerick city.

A man in his 30s believed to be originally from Dublin was arrested when armed detectives backed up by members of the emergency response unit raided a house at Glenview Drive, Glencairin, near Raheen, around 4pm.

The man is being detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act for questioning at Ennis Garda Station.

The find was part of an ongoing investigation by gardaí in Limerick and Clare into the activities of dissident republicans.

Superintendent Gerry Mahon of Roxboro Garda Station, who is leading the investigation, said they were investigating the potential link to subversive and criminal groups in the Limerick region and countrywide.

“We are satisfied that this find has no connection to the ongoing feud in Limerick city. We consider this find to be very significant in our ongoing investigations into criminal and subversive activities in this region,” he said.

He added that the garda considered this latest find as a “very considerable blow” to subversive activity in the Limerick region.

The discovery was made in a three bedroom tudor style semi detached house situated in a cul-de-sac in a fashionable residential area.