Shotgun seized at Garda check point

A FILE is being prepared for the DPP after two men and a woman were stopped in a car which was found to contain a sawn-off shotgun, ammunition and balaclavas.

The car was stopped by a Garda patrol on the Mogeely-Dungourney road in Co Cork shortly after 10pm on Thursday. The three adults in the car were accompanied by a five-month-old girl and a five-year-old boy.

Gardaí became suspicious and a search of the car uncovered the gun and ammunition. Armed detectives were also at the scene and the adults, — all in their 20s — were arrested under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.

Supt Flor Horan, who is leading the investigation, said gardaí were satisfied the arrests had “prevented an aggravated burglary or armed robbery”.

One of the men was taken to Fermoy Garda Station for questioning, while the other adults were detained at Midleton station. Supt Horan said gardaí contacted relatives of the children who are looking after them.

One of the men and the woman have addresses in Cork city and are known by gardaí. The other is from the Ballincollig area and was not known to gardaí.

The shotgun has been sent to Dublin, where it will be analysed by Garda ballistics experts.

All three were released without charge last night, but a file will be prepared.