Arms dump found on island

Gardaí in the Midlands sealed off several acres on an island on Loch Rea after an arms dump was discovered by a local landowner.

The guns were found on one of a dozen uninhabited islands on the lake near Athlone.

Gardaí are treating the find as extremely serious and it is believed the arms may have been there for many years.

It is also thought a quantity of explosives was discovered.

The island known locally as Nun’s Island is used by farmers from the surrounding area.

Gardaí have not revealed the scale of the seizure but it is believed to be substantial.

A search of the area was due to be carried out at first light today along with a forensic examination of the scene.