asked the Minister for Justice if he will make a statement on the arms find at Five Fingers beach, Malin, County Donegal on 27 January, 1988.
Written Answers - County Donegal Arms Find.
100.
On Wednesday, 27 January 1988, during a search of the Five Fingers Strand, Malin, County Donegal the Garda recovered the following items which had been concealed in two large oil tanks:— (1) 100 Kalashnikov rifles; (2) 100 bayonets in scabbards for use with the rifles; (3) 75 magazines also for use with the rifles; (4) four general purpose machine-guns with four spare barrels and two tripod mountings; (5) 48,570 rounds of ammunition; (6) 100 lbs. of plastic explosive; (7) 3,000 metres of detonating cord; (8) cleaning equipment and slings for some of the above-listed weapons.
This was the most significant arms find here in recent years, the largest find since the Marita Ann seizure in 1984. The nature and extent of this weaponry emphasises the importance of the recent major search operation carried out by our security forces. Garda search operations aimed at locating and seizing all arms and munitions illegally held here are continuing.