Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 623: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the authority by which the weapon discovered in the car of a person (details supplied) was destroyed on 19 July 2000; the make and serial number of the weapon; and if there was any connection made between the said weapon and any others discovered in any other part of Ireland. [22823/05]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 624: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a weapon destroyed on 19 July 2000 may be used in any future case against a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [22824/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 623 and 624 together.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the weapon in question, which was never claimed, was destroyed, together with other weaponry, in July 2000, as the storage site — Clancy Barracks — had been sold. In this regard, when cases are finalised in the courts or if no charges are preferred, items such as this are returned to the Garda technical bureau, unless there is a court order to say otherwise.

I am further informed that there will be no criminal proceedings taken in relation to this weapon. I do not consider it appropriate to comment on the other aspects of the Deputy's questions, as they are of an operational nature.