Gardaí search homes in dissident activity operation

GARDAÍ last night carried out a number of searches in Cork in an operation directed against suspected dissident republicans.

The intelligence-led operation was sparked following the arrest of a man in the Macroom area and the search of a house which led to the seizure of two firearms which a senior garda source said were “found in suspicious circumstances”.

The firearms, understood to be shotguns which may be unlawful, were being examined last night by garda ballistic experts.

The man was arrested at 7am following a garda swoop on his house.

He was taken to Bandon Garda Station where he is being detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.

A senior source confirmed the man was being questioned in relation to dissident activity but was not previously known to them.

He was being quizzed by senior detectives from the Cork West Garda Division.

As a result of the arrest, further searches were carried out in the general Cork area.

Gardaí have become increasingly concerned in recent times with the number of firearms being stolen on an almost daily basis from legitimate gun owners.

It is understood that criminals have become more ‘robust’ when stealing the weapons, even when owners abide by legislation and keep them indoors in steel casing.

Gardaí are also said to be concerned about the theft of ‘high powered’ weapons — kept by gun enthusiasts — which are being targeted by organised gangs.