Urgent answers needed on reports of negligent security in storage of confiscated weapons at Garda headquarters – Matt Carthy TD

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Matt Carthy TD, in the Dáil today raised with the Taoiseach reports of negligent security by Gardaí in relation to the storage of confiscated weapons in a container secured only by a combination lock at Garda HQ.

Teachta Carthy said:

“The Irish Mail has reported on a protected disclosure that details how confiscated weapons, including automatic firearms, ammunition and explosives were being held at Garda Headquarters in a container secured only by a combination lock. The report also suggests that much of this dangerous weaponry is undocumented and untraceable.

“The report indicates that the Taoiseach, as well as Garda leadership and former Minister for Justice Helen McEntee, was made aware of this a number of years ago.

“If these reports are true, this has very serious implications for public safety.

“There is a real risk of these weapons making their way back into the hands of organised criminals. We know that a pump action shotgun, originally seized from criminals in 2009, was later seized again from another criminal gang in 2023.

“The Taoiseach needs to tell the Dáil if he is satisfied that the facts outlined are correct? And, if so, what action has been taken to address this issue and to ensure that these weapons do not find their way back into the hands of criminals or that someone is not badly injured or killed as a result of these reported failures.

“While the Taoiseach indicated that an investigation into this issue is ongoing, given the potential serious consequences for public safety, far more urgency is clearly required. The public needs to be assured that all weapons, ammunition and explosives confiscated by An Garda Síochána are logged and recorded properly and held securely so that there is no risk of these getting back into the hands of criminals.”