Mountjoy Prison ‘gun’ find triggers alert

Garda experts suspect that apparent components of a firearm recovered in Mountjoy Prison are a metallic device for grinding cannabis.

The find sparked a lockdown and a prison-wide search to locate any remaining parts of what was initially thought to be an improvised handgun.

The components were located in the C division of the Dublin prison at around lunchtime yesterday.

Prison sources said they comprised two barrels, including a six-chamber circular piece — similar to that of a handgun. Inside the chamber were what looked like six bullets.

“Prison staff and gardaí concurred that it appeared to look like a weapon and it was removed for testing,” said one prison source.

The discovery was made in a back room in C1 block.

In a statement, the Irish Prison Service confirmed a suspicious item was discovered on C wing in Mountjoy at 12.30pm.

“Following an initial examination by prison staff and the responding gardaí it was suspected the item may be part of a firearm containing a number of bullets.

“As a result appropriate action was taken by the prison governor and a general search of the prison was commenced.”

It added: “The item was removed by An Garda Siochána for forensic examination. The gardaí have subsequently determined that the item is not part of a weapon as was initially suspected.”

It is understood the item is a cannabis grinder, some of which comprise two metallic barrels and a grinding device with sharp teeth or pegs.

It is used to shred cannabis buds.