MINISTER FOR Defence Willie O’Dea has “ordered” Defence Forces Chief of Staff Lieut Gen Dermot Earley to explain how training weaponry, including grenades and a gun, were stolen from an Army barracks in Limerick city at the weekend.
In a strongly worded statement Mr O’Dea said he was “angered and concerned” at the breach of security, news of which has not emerged until now.
“While I have been again assured that all weapons, live ammunition and explosive material in Sarsfield Barracks are stored securely and safely, any security breach at any army barracks is deeply disturbing, regardless of the relatively inert nature of the material stolen.”
He added: “I have ordered the Defence Forces Chief of Staff (Dermot Early) and the GOC of the Southern Brigade (Brig Gen Pat Hayes) to report directly to me on both how this security breach could happen and the measures they propose to introduce to ensure that this can never happen again at Sarsfield Barracks or at any other location.”
Any break-in at military facilities is treated very seriously by the Defence Forces, particularly if security is breached where weapons are being stored.
The latest incident at Sarsfield Barracks, Limerick City, is particularly embarrassing because it occurred in Mr O’Dea’s constituency, where gardaí have been tackling a serious gun culture in recent years.
While the grenades stolen did not contain explosives, imitation weaponry has been used by gangland criminals to intimidate their rivals and causes a major security scare when discovered in public places.
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 that 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.
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.
The statement added: “Blank ammunition is used in training and while not lethal, if not handled or used correctly, is dangerous. If members of the public come across this ammunition or have information relating to the break-in they should report it to any military or Garda barracks.”
The Defence Forces’ inquiry will involve a review of staffing levels used to protect the facility.