Two men arrested after Gardai recover 3D-printed handgun in Dublin taxi

Sunday World

6 hours ago

Detectives are investigating if the 3D-printed weapon recovered in the south-inner city is linked to criminals involved in a number of violent incidents last year.
Gun seized by gardai in Dublin last night. Photo: An Garda Síochána Facebook
The significant seizure follows the discovery of two similar firearms in Tipperary recently with gardaí concerned at the 'significant' development.
The Harlot .22 calibre pistols can be homemade using a 3D printer and can also be manufactured without a serial number, making them untraceable.
Detectives are investigating if the 3D-printed weapon recovered in the south-inner city is linked to criminals involved in a number of violent incidents last year.
Uniformed gardaí attached to Kilmainham garda station intercepted a taxi in the Dublin 8 area and searched the vehicle.
A passenger in the car, who is aged in his 20s, was arrested on suspicion of firearms offences.
The man has since been charged in connection with the case and will appear before the courts on Thursday.
Gun seized by gardai in Dublin last night. Photo: An Garda Síochána Facebook
News in 90 Seconds - June 25th
Another man, also aged in his 20s, has also been arrested.
In an earlier statement, a garda spokesperson said: 'While on routine patrol along Turvey Avenue, Inchicore, Dublin 8 at approximately 8pm last night, Tuesday, 24th June 2025, uniform Gardaí from Kilmainham (Community Engagement) Garda Station observed two males of interest entering a taxi.
'On stopping the taxi the Gardaí were met by a strong smell of cannabis.
'Both males were informed they were going to be searched under the provisions of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977.
'One of the males was found to be wearing a ballistic vest and in possession of a substantial sum of money. As he was being searched, a .22 calibre pistol fell from being concealed in the ballistic vest.
'The male in his 20s has been arrested in connection with the seizure and is currently detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939 at a Garda Station in Dublin.
'The firearm seized is now subject to full technical examination.'
One of the men arrested is not considered a major criminal but is related to men who have previously been linked to violent incidents in the Inchicore and Bluebell areas. The driver of the taxi is not suspected of any wrongdoing and was unaware that the weapon was being transported in the car.
One line of inquiry is that it is linked to a dispute between criminals in the Dublin 8 and 12 areas which has been dormant in recent months following a spate of assaults and threats last year.
A source told the Sunday World: 'This was great proactive work carried out by local uniformed gardaí and ensures that the weapon is out of the hands of criminal elements.
'It is a worrying and significant development. Criminals evolve with the latest technology and 3D printed weapons can effectively be homemade with the right equipment and are difficult to trace'
It's understood in an unrelated seizure in Tipperary in recent weeks, gardaí recovered two Harlot pistols as well as ammunition.
Only this week Europol warned that the use of 3D printed firearms had been observed in Northern Ireland and described this as an 'emerging concern'..
Speaking about last night's seizure Assistant Commissioner Paul Cleary said: 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.'