Arms and ammo found in Limerick searches
Gardaí in Limerick have recovered arms and ammunition following a number of planned searches today at various locations in the city.
Two sawn-off shotguns were seized by gardaí in an area of waste ground in Moyross while up to 500 rounds of ammunition were recovered by gardaí in a separate search in the Garryowen area.
A Garda spokesman said the operation was part of an ongoing crackdown against serious crime in the city.
It's not yet known whether today's seizure of arms and ammunition was linked to an incident on Wednesday morning in which a 26-year-old man suffered gunshot wounds to the face and chest.
David Heighton was targeted by a gunman near shops at St Ita's Street in St Mary's Park in the early hours of Wednesday morning, following an earlier dispute with a man in the same area.
Mr Heighton was still being treated for his injuries today at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick.
Meanwhile, a man was also arrested earlier today in connection with the shooting last Sunday of 22-year-old Aaron O'Brien at Delmege Park in Moyross.
Mr O'Brien suffered gunshot wounds to the stomach and later underwent emergency surgery in hospital.
Gardaí said that the man arrested in connection with that shooting was later released without charge and that a file was being prepared for the Director of Public Prosections.
It's understood that neither of the recent serious shooting incidents was linked to the major gangland feud in the city, which has claimed four lives since the year 2000.
Earlier this week, the city's most senior garda, Chief Superintendent Jerry Kelly, told a meeting of councillors at Limerick City Hall that one in three of all shooting incidents nationwide occurred in Limerick.
