Gardai seize 500 illegal arms this year

Gardaí have seized more than 500 illegally held firearms to date this year, according to new figures from the Department of Justice.

These include about 160 weapons seized by Dublin gardaí under Operation Anvil, a city-wide investigation into armed gangs.

The figures are provisional and are likely to be much higher when a full-year account is confirmed in the new year.

More shotguns (147) have been seized this year than any other type. Other weapons seized include: air pistols and air rifles (132); rifles (66); revolvers (18); pistols (20); crossbows (6); toy or imitation guns (58); unstated types (55).

There has been a significant increase in the number of stun guns seized - 17 so far this year compared with six for all of last year. The guns, which inflict a temporary debilitating electric shock, cannot be bought here. However, they are available over the internet or over the counter in some countries.

Gardaí are considering using stun guns as part of a proposed move to greater use of non-fatal weapons. A trial of "Taser" electric shock weapons by six UK police forces is nearing completion and will be reviewed by the Garda before the end of the year.

The figures for firearm seizures were released to Tony Gregory TD (Ind) in reply to a Dáil question to Minister for Justice Michael McDowell. In 2003 gardaí seized 777 illegally held firearms. Full figures for last year are not available because An Garda Síochána's 2004 annual report has not yet been published.

The Minister had expressed concern earlier in the year about the increase in armed crime, particularly murder and major robberies. Nine people were murdered in gun attacks in April and May.

Almost €2.4 million was stolen by an armed gang in March after Securicor worker Paul Richardson and his family were held at gunpoint at their home in Raheny, Dublin.

In April an armed gang hijacked a Brinks Allied van at a petrol station in Artane, Dublin, when the crew went to buy coffee, and made off with €2.2 million.

Operation Anvil was established in May to tackle this upsurge in crime. It resulted in a significant lull in activity.

However, the murder last month of drug dealer Mark Glennon (32) at his home in Hartstown, west Dublin, has raised fears of renewed feuding between rival drug gangs.