Prison security plans 'an abject failure' - Fine Gael

Fine Gael has criticised the Government following a record seizure of gangland weapons, saying its plans to tighten prison security were "an abject failure".

Fine Gael's justice spokesman Charlie Flanagan said the haul, which is believed to be linked to a leading Dublin criminal who is currently serving a prison sentence, showed the commitments to tighten prison security were "worthless".

"This is yet another case where a major gang lord is able to conduct their operations from inside a prison cell. In spite of repeated Government promises to roll out mobile phone blocking technology across the prison system, it now appears that the pilot scheme in the Midlands prison has not even started," he said.

Mr Flanagan called for airport-style security procedures to be implemented in prisons, including scanners, sniffer dogs and tighter screening procedures in an effort to prevent contraband items being smuggled into prisons.

The comments came after gardaí seized 41 firearms in a cross-border operation involving police and customs from the Republic, Northern Ireland and the Netherlands.

Heroin and cannabis valued at €4.2 million were also seized as part of the operation. Twenty-seven weapons were found along with the drugs in a car near Dublin Airport yesterday. A 42-year-old from Tipperary was arrested and is being questioned in Blanchardstown Garda station.

A further 14 firearms were recovered in Belfast by the Police Service of Northern Ireland. A man from Dublin has been arrested in connection with the seizure and was being questioned at Antrim's serious crimes suite last night.

The man arrested in Belfast is a close associate of a man who is currently serving a prison sentence in the Republic and who was a key member of John Gilligan's gang. Gardaí believe the inmate was instrumental in sourcing the weapons and drugs via a mobile phone.

Two other men, both aged in their 30s were arrested shortly after midnight in Birr and Roscrea and are being held at Blanchardstown Garda Station under Section 2 of the Drug Trafficking Act.