Two arrests after replica gun discovered in church grounds

Gardaí called to Griffith Avenue after reports of men in balaclavas ‘acting suspiciously’

Two men were arrested in Dublin on Friday after gardaí uncovered a replica gun, gloves and a balaclava in the grounds of a church.

At about 9.30pm, gardaí were called to Clare Road off Griffith Avenue, Dublin 9, after a number of people wearing balaclavas were seen acting suspiciously at the rear of a house.

During a follow up search in the grounds of a nearby church, gardaí arrested a man and recovered what is described as a replica firearm along with a balaclava and gloves.

A second male was also arrested and a car bearing false registration plates was discovered nearby.

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The two men, both aged in their 40s, are being detained under section 30 of the Offences against the State Act, 1939 at Ballymun Garda Station.

Gardaí say investigations are ongoing and a technical examination of the scene is under way.