'We're all absolutely shocked by this': Gardaí make major gun seizure in Cork suburb

House in Douglas described by gardaí as a 'gun-making factory'

Gardaí discovered firearms, ammunition, and explosives at a house in Douglas on Cork City's southside on Wednesday. Stock picture: Dan Linehan

Locals in a suburb on the south side of Cork City have been left shocked after a suspected gun-making factory was uncovered by gardaí at a family home.

A man in his mid-40s was arrested on Wednesday, before guns, ammunition, and explosives were found in the home in Douglas, where the man lives with his parents.

The seizure came after the man was stopped in a car by gardaí outside Mallow in north Cork on Tuesday night.

Cocaine, three guns and ammunition were found in the car when it was stopped at Lisanisky, Mallow, Co Cork after 10pm on Tuesday. The car had been "acting suspiciously", gardaí said.

The house in Douglas was subsequently searched where gardaí found guns, gun parts, pipe bombs and ammunition, it is understood.

Gardaí preserved the scene at the housing estate in the south side of Cork city.

The Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit attended the scene to disarm any potentially viable devices.

The weapons seizure is not dissident-related but may be linked to organised crime, it is understood.

The man was arrested under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939. The suspect, who is from Cork City, was being questioned in Mallow Garda station on Wednesday night.

It is understood the man has previously come to the attention of gardaí. 

"He's a gun enthusiast and he has three legally held firms, but he came to garda attention about 10 years ago when he imported two decommissioned pistols from Germany. I understand gardaí became aware of those and they confiscated them in 2015, but he avoided criminal conviction and was instead given an adult caution," Irish Times reporter Barry Roche told RTÉ's Morning Ireland. 

He said it "seems an extraordinary operation to sort of be conducted or carried out in a suburban house in Douglas in Cork City".

Locals shocked by discovery

Neighbours in the estate in Douglas where the weapons were discovered said they were shocked by the news.

The family has been living at the well-maintained home there for more than 30 years where the suspect lives with his parents.

"They're a lovely couple," one neighbour who also asked not to be named said.

"I'd see him [the suspect] walking his dog here every day. He'd always say hi, he's very polite.

"We're all absolutely shocked by this."

Another neighbour said: “They’re a quiet family. I’d often see them walking their dog,.

“This is a quiet place. Everyone’s shocked.” 

One Garda vehicle remained outside the two storey semi-detached house on Wednesday night.