3D-printed pistol seized in Dublin

A 3D-printed pistol has been seized in Dublin, it is understood.

It comes after gardai arrested a man and seized a firearm in the Inchicore area of the city on Tuesday night.

Gardai described the weapon as a .22 calibre pistol.

However, it is understood that the weapon is similar to other 3D-printed firearms.

While on routine patrol along Turvey Avenue in Inchicore at approximately 8pm on Tuesday night, uniformed gardai from Kilmainham station stopped a taxi after observing “two males of interest” entering the vehicle.

Gardai said they smelled cannabis and informed both men they were going to be searched under the provisions of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977.

One of the men was found to be wearing a ballistic vest and in possession of a substantial sum of money, a statement from An Garda Siochana said.

As he was being searched, gardai said a .22 calibre pistol fell from being concealed in the ballistic vest.

That man, aged in his 20s, was arrested in connection with the seizure and was detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939 at a Dublin garda station.

He was later charged in connection with the case, and is expected to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice on Thursday morning.

A second man, aged in his 20s, was arrested in a follow-up operation.

On Wednesday night, he was detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939, at a Garda station in the Dublin region.

The firearm is scheduled to go under a full technical examination.

Assistant Commissioner Paul Cleary said: “I want to acknowledge and commend the work of two uniform members of An Garda Siochana yesterday evening going about their duties diligently and proactively.

“This was a timely intervention likely to have saved lives or prevented serious injury and is another dangerous firearm which has been taken off the streets of Dublin.

“Gardai across the Dublin region are on duty 24 hours a day, supporting local communities and working hard to An Garda Siochana mission of keeping people safe”.