Gardaí hunt gang who stole guns from dealer’s home

GARDAÍ were last night hunting a gang of men who stole 30 guns from a rural firearms dealer in Tipperary amid fears the weapons may end up in the hands of feuding criminals.

Four men, at least one of whom was armed, ambushed Thomas Keevan and his partner Rita as they returned after a night out to their house in Cregg, a mile and a half from Carrick-on-Suir, at about 1.30am yesterday.

The couple was taken inside and held there, along with his partner’s daughter and another person, thought to be a caretaker, as the raiders collected the 30 firearms, which included pistols and rifles.

The raiders then escaped from the house, also taking the family car, a champagne- coloured Honda Civic Saloon. Mr Keevan, who is in his 50s and known locally as Tonnie, managed to free himself and raised the alarm.

No shots were fired and no one was injured in the raid.

The Mayor of Carrick-on-Suir, Sinn Féin Cllr Liam Walsh, said one possibility was that feuding gangs from either Limerick or Waterford targeted the rural gun dealership to stock up on weapons.

“That amount of firearms on the streets, God only knows,” he said, adding that people in the area were shocked that a member of the community had been targeted in such a way.

It is understood Mr Keevan has long repaired guns and operated the licensed firearms dealership from the two-storey property in Cregg.

Mr Keevan and his loved ones were yesterday being cared for by his brothers Eddie and John Paul, who live locally.

Eddie Keevan’s wife and Tommy’s sister-in-law, Kathleen Keevan, yesterday said: “To see someone waiting for you when you come in — you’d be very shocked, wouldn’t you?”

Gardaí investigating the burglary have appealed for anyone with any information to contact them on 051-642040 or 1800 666111, and said they were particularly interested in any sightings of the Honda Civic saloon, registration 03WX5048.

Waterford Fine Gael Deputy John Deasy said the raid highlighted the need for legislative clarification on the licensing of handguns.

“An argument has been made by a small group of handgun enthusiasts that legally held firearms do not end up in the hands of criminals and therefore the issue does not give cause for concern,” he said.

“Yesterday’s robbery and others like it prove that legally held handguns are indeed being targeted by criminal gangs. It is also clear that existing security arrangements are not proving to be a deterrent to those intent on stealing them.”