This article is from page 12 of the 2014-01-28 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
MYSTERY surrounds how a gun came to be stored in the safe of a West Clare bank.
The colt revolver was discovered in the safe by the former manager of the Bank of Ireland branch in Miltown Malbay, it emerged last week.
The man, who is now retired, handed over the firearm to gardaí after making the surprise discovery.
Technical examinations were sub- sequently carried by experts at the Garda Ballistics Section.
It is thought the gun may have been stored in the Miltown safe for up to 15 years.
It is understood there was no record of how the firearm came to be in the bank safe.
The identity of the colt revolver’s original owner is thought to be unknown.
The presence of the gun was disclosed at Ennis District Court on Wednesday, where it was the subject of a Police Property Application.
Gardaí were seeking a court order to have the firearm destroyed.
Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court the application concerned the discovery of a gun in a bank safe.
He said the gun had been found after many years.
Insp Kennedy said the State were seeking possession of the gun in order to have it destroyed.
Judge Patrick Durcan made the order releasing the firearm to the State for destruction.