Thieves trash garda station and steal fake firearm

THIEVES who couldn’t believe their luck after thinking they had stumbled on to a minor arsenal when they broke into a garda station discovered afterwards the gun they stole was a fake.

The replica firearm, plus a quantity of cartridges, a two-way radio and other items were all recovered this week when three youths were arrested and questioned about the break-in and a fire which badly damaged the station in Ashford, Co Wicklow.

At least one of the youths had a tell-tale gash across his hand believed to have been caused by broken glass from the window through which the gang gained entry. A file on the three suspects, who are all from the county, is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.