Gardaí question five over 'gangland hit plan'

Five men were being questioned by orgainsed crime detectives tonight after gardaí foiled a suspected gangland hit.

A loaded Glock pistol and 20 rounds of ammunition were recovered after the crack armed Emergency Response Unit swooped on two cars in Lucan, west Dublin and Celbridge, Co Kildare.

The five men, aged 18, 19, 28, 30 and 46 years, were detained as they travelled in two groups.

Senior gardaí believe the gang was travelling to the home of a rival gangster and it is understood a number of known figures from Dublin’s criminal underworld were among those detained.

Gardaí acting on intelligence swooped on the cars at around 5pm yesterday.

It is understood the men planned to target a north Dublin drug dealer who has been living in the Celbridge area.

The five men were being held at Newbridge, Lucan and Leixlip Garda stations under the Offences Against the State Act.

The operation was led by the Garda Organised Crime Unit with back-up from the Emergency Response Unit.

Gardaí were tonight granted a further 24 hours to detain the men, who can be held in custody for a total of seven days.