Man arrested after gardaí smash gun-running operation in North Cork

Gardaí and customs officials have smashed a gun-running operation and arrested a 28-year-old man following “an intelligence-led operation” in North Cork which led them to seize two firearms.

The operation began yesterday morning when customs detected two firearms and a quantity of ammunition, imported from the US, at a courier depot.

A follow-up operation was put in place to apprehend those behind the illegal importation.

The man was arrested following early morning house raids on three locations in the Mallow area of Co Cork.

It is believed the combined security services also seized a number of mobile phones and computers during the operation.

However, they did confirm that the man arrested is Irish.

The man, said to be originally from the Mallow area, was arrested and taken to Cobh Garda Station, where he was being detained last night under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act. Under that legislation, he can be held for up to 48 hours without charge. That can be extended by a further 24 hours if requested by a chief superintendent.

It is understood the man arrested had not come to garda attention before.

However, one senior garda officer said: “Any day that you take illegal firearms off the street is a good day for the public.”

As part of the operation, follow-up searches are continuing.