Shotgun seized by gardaí in 2009 was seized again in 2023

The weapon itself had originally been stolen from a property during a burglary in 2004

A garda spokesperson said Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has sent a report on the matter to Justice Minister Helen McEntee. Picture: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin

Gardaí have begun an investigation after a firearm which was seized in 2009, and supposed to still be in the possession of An Garda Síochána, was seized for a second time during a policing operation last year.

In mid-2023 the weapon, a pump-action shotgun, was seized along with another firearm as part of a policing operation in the Midlands targeting feuding criminal groups. At the time, two men were arrested and subsequently charged with firearm offences.