Theft of Army training weaponry 'worrying'

THE THEFT of training weaponry from an Army barracks in Limerick is “grave and worrying” against the background of gun violence in the city, according to Fine Gael’s spokesman on defence Jimmy Deenihan TD.

He has urged Minister for Defence Willie O’Dea to keep the Dáil informed on the progress of separate Defence Forces and Garda investigations into the weekend robbery at Sarsfield Barracks in Limerick City.

“The Minister has rightly called for a thorough investigation into how such a serious breach of security could occur at a location where live ammunition and multiple weapons are located,” Mr Deenihan.

“It must be particularly galling for the Minister for such a security lapse to occur in his own backyard where family feuds and gangland killings have been a consistent problem.

“I trust the Defence Forces will be thorough in their investigation of the incident, as will the Garda.”

The items stolen from Sarsfield Barracks included blank rounds of ammunition, flares, training grenades and a pellet gun.

The robbery at what is supposed to be a high-security facility was noticed on Monday when routine checks were being carried out on stores at the barracks.

A pellet gun believed to be taken in the robbery was found in the front garden of a house after gardaí went to investigate reports of suspicious activity.

The weapon was found on Sunday evening near Ballinacurra Weston, which is the base of the feuding McCarthy-Dundon gang.

In a statement to The Irish Times on Tuesday, Mr O’Dea said he had “ordered” the Defence Forces chief-of-staff Dermot Early and the commander of the Southern Brigade, Brig Gen Pat Hayes, to report directly to him outlining how the robbery could have taken place.

Mr O’Dea has also instructed both men to outline proposals to prevent a repeat robbery at Sarsfield Barracks or any other military installation.

A statement from the Defence Forces said the break-in was under investigation by military police. The Garda had been informed and was carrying out its own investigation.

It said the blank ammunition that was stolen could be dangerous if it was not handled properly. The Defence Forces added that any member of the public who found any of the stolen items should alert the Defence Forces or the Garda.