UNIFORMED Gardaí were praised for their “excellent police work” and brave actions after they pursued a car, in which a handgun and ammunition were thrown from the vehicle, during a “high-speed” pursuit in Limerick.
Gardaí believe the incident is linked to an ongoing local feud in the Moyross Ballynanty area, a reliable source said.
A 30-year old man was arrested following the high-speed chase with gardai attached to Mayorstone Garda Station.
The suspect was being held for questioning at Henry Street Garda Station.
A source applauded the actions of the uniformed Gardaí, who initially had observed a man known to them, in a car, and then approached the vehicle to carry out a routine stop and check.
A “high-speed” chase ensued through several housing estates, in which uniformed officers called in back-up from members of the Armed Support Unit (ASU).
The driver of the car was arrested just beyond the Limerick-Clare border, at Parteen, around midnight.
The source said the recovered handgun looked like it “may have been repurposed or handmade” in a crude-like fashion.
Gardaí also recovered “between 50 and 100 rounds of ammunition” with the firearm which have all been sent to Garda ballistics experts for testing.
Gardaí believe the vehicle was being used to “transport” the weaponry from one location to another to be used later, and that, the officers involved had “prevented a more serious incident from occurring”.
“It was proactive policing at its best, excellent police work. The additional garda patrols available to gardai now have allowed more patrols to be out and about,” the source said.
“It was very good observation by the uniformed Gardaí who identified an individual known to be suspected of involvement in organised crime.”
“They pursued him, and were supported by armed officers during a high-speed chase, and a substantial amount of ammunition was recovered.”
The incident is of “concern” to Gardaí who are continually monitoring the local dispute between the rival groups.
It’s “a localised issue” linked to “organised crime activities in the Moyross and Ballynanty area”.
The source said the incident was “not” linked to a violent disorder incident on March 18 in St Mary’s Park, in which a man was assaulted and mowed down by a car.
The tensions between the rival groups escalated five years ago when shots were fired in the direction of a number of people.
There have been tit for tat shots fired at houses and people as well as threats and intimidation.
A gun was previously found at a house on the north side, linked to the same feud.
A garda spokesman said: “Gardaí have arrested a man and seized a suspected firearm on March 26, 2020. Shortly before midnight, uniform Gardaí from Mayorstone Park Garda Station were on patrol when they attempted to stop a car in the Ballynanty area of Limerick.”
“The car was then driven at high speed through a number of housing estate and a managed containment operation was carried out with the assistance of the Armed Support Unit.”
“During the operation, an object was thrown from the car and was recovered by Gardaí. It was then discovered that the object was a suspected firearm along with a number of rounds of ammunition.”
“The suspected firearm will now be sent for analysis.”
“The driver of the car, a man in his 30s, eventually stopped in the Parteen area of Co. Clare and was arrested by Gardaí.”
“The car that was used during the incident was seized and the man was brought to Henry Street Garda Station where he is currently detained under Section 30 Offences Against the Station Act, 1939.”
