asked the Minister for Justice in relation to finds of arms, ammunition and explosives believed to have been imported as a result of illegal shipments, with regard to (a) the Republic of Ireland and (b) Northern Ireland (1) the total number of rounds of ammunition, (2) the total number and type of weapons, (3) the amount and type of explosives and (4) other materials recovered; the percentage these finds represent in terms of the estimate of total volume of illegal importations; and the estimated market value of these finds.
Written Answers. - Illegal Arms Shipments.
86.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the finds of ammunition, weapons, explosives and other materials recovered in the State since January 1986 and which the Garda authorities believe were imported into this country as part of illegal shipments, are as listed below:—
(1) Ammunition: 104,721 rounds, 349 magazines (for rifles and pistols).
(2) Weapons: 220 Kalashnikov rifles, 10 Heckler and Koch rifles, four general purpose machine guns (with four spare barrels and mountings and three tripods), 18 Taurus pistols.
(3) Explosives: 601 lbs. of Semtex "H", 12 RPG rockets (and 12 motors), 64 hand grenades.
(4) Other materials: 3,000 metres of detonating cord, 221 bayonets in scabbards, 88 web pouches, assorted cleaning equipment and slings.
The Garda authorities have informed me that they are not in a position to state the percentage of the illegally imported materials which these figures represent. Neither is it possible to give any reliable estimate of the market value of these finds.
With regard to the Deputy's request for similar information regarding finds in Northern Ireland, I am informed that, in the period January 1987 to February 1988, the following materials were recovered by the Northern Ireland security forces:—
(1) 83,499 rounds of ammunition;
(2) 492 firearms and
(3) 13,367 lbs. of explosives (comprising 213 lbs. of commercial and 13,154 lbs. of home-made explosives).
I am also informed that the figures represent all the finds made in the period stated and that the authorities are not in a position to attempt to specify the origins of the various items found.