Weapons and drugs found in Limerick search

A Limerick-based criminal gang has been dealt a major blow after gardaí uncovered a weapons stash in waste ground on the south side of the city.

Two loaded semi-automatic handguns were among the items seized in the Ballinacurra Weston area of the city during an early-morning planned Garda search today.

Senior gardaí sources described the discovery of the 9mm handguns as a "sinister development" among the city's criminal fraternity.

Drugs and 50 rounds of ammunition were also seizued during the four-hour search of waste-ground in the heavily-populated suburb. The drugs, which consisted of cocaine and cannabis, had an estimated street value of around 3,000, according to gardaí.

"All of the items discovered were concealed and in perfect condition. They were found during a search by gardai from the Crime Unit of Roxboro Garda Station and the Divisional Search team," said a Garda spokesman.

It's understood the weapons arsenal was the property of one of the criminal gangs involved in a feud on the south side of the city. Senior gardaí have described the discovery of the loaded handguns as a "sinister development among criminals in Limerick".

"The discovery of the weapons and the ammunition is obviously a significant blow against ongoing criminal activitiy. The hand guns which were found were ready for use and the discovery of these weapons is a sinister development about the criminal fraternity," said one Garda source.

No one has been arrested yet in connection with today's morning's raid, which was carried out between 8am and 11am.

All of the items recovered will be sent to Dublin for technical examination.