Gardaí used decommissioned firearms in sting operations to trap illegal gun buyers

Garda HQ detailed two firearms and three drug trafficking court cases where controlled deliveries were used by gardaí. File picture: Gareth Chaney Collins

Gardaí have carried out at least two controlled deliveries of firearms since 2007, in which they used Garda-held decommissioned weapons to catch people trying to import firearms, Garda figures show.

In response to queries from the Irish Examiner, Garda HQ detailed two court cases where gardaí substituted illegal firearms with Garda-held weapons that were made safe, in controlled deliveries to suspects who were subsequently convicted of buying weapons.