Firearms and explosives seizures up on 2002, says garda report

THE number of shotguns, machine guns, rifles and handguns seized by gardaí increased last year.

In a series of operations against organised criminals, mainly in Limerick and Dublin, and subversives, gardaí discovered an array of firearms and explosives.

Seven machine guns, 124 rifles, 45 pistols and 23 revolvers were seized during 2003. In addition, over 500kg of homemade explosives were seized.