A violent criminal has been arrested by gardai following a high speed chase.
The man was one of three involved in the incident, which occurred at around 9.40pm Saturday night.
A source told the Independent.ie: “This was a situation where three known criminals with gloves and their faces covered were in a stolen car with an imitation firearm.
“There is no doubt they had a crime planned and gardaí did well to bring this to a safe conclusion while making three arrests.”
Gardai arrested the three men aged in their 30s while out on patrol on Davitt Road, Drimnagh.
Officers noticed a stolen silver Mini Cooper and attempted to stop the car.
The vehicle failed to stop and sped off over Herberton Bridge and into Rialto. It was then abandoned at Longs Place in the south inner city.
The men fled the car, with one seen throwing a plastic bag, which was later recovered and found to be containing a suspected firearm.
The suspects were arrested and are currently being questioned under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act and are being held at Crumlin and Kevin Street garda stations.
One of the men is considered to be a high-profile criminal and was released from prison on bail in recent days, the Independent.ie reports.
The man served a lengthy jail term for a botched shooting more than ten years ago.
His associate was also released on bail a few days prior to the incident.
A garda spokesperson said: "The three males (all aged in their 30s) were arrested by Gardaí a short distance away. One of the men was observed attempting to discard a plastic bag. This plastic bag was recovered by Gardaí and it was discovered that it contained a suspected firearm. This suspected firearm has been sent to the ballistics unit for analysis.
"The three arrested men are currently being detained under the provisions of Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939, at Crumlin and Kevin Street Garda Stations.
"Investigations are ongoing.
"During the course of this managed containment operation, the offending vehicle (a silver Mini Cooper) was observed driving at speed through traffic in the Davitt Road, Herberton Bridge and Rialto areas causing a number of vehicles to take action to avoid a potential collision.
"Gardaí are appealing to any road users travelling in these areas at this time to make contact with Gardaí, particularly any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam).
"Anyone with information is asked to contact Sundrive Road Garda Station on 01 6666600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station."
