A Garda patrol foiled another shooting and arson attack in the city lastweek in what is suspected to be part of an ongoing criminal tit-for-tat turf war between rival gangs.

The Garda patrol noticed a car being driven suspiciously in the Castlepark area in the early hours of Tuesday morning last and approached the vehicle.

Two occupants abandoned the vehicle in the middle of the road and escaped on foot – a subsequent search of the car by Gardaí found a firearm, live ammunition rounds, containers of petrol and balaclavas.

The haul included a shotgun and five cartridges which Gardaí believe were to be used for an attack on a house in the Castle Park area. The car and its contents were seized by Gardaí for forensic and technical examinations.

Gardaí have appealed for anyone with relevant dash cam footage in the Castle Park area between 3am and 3.30am on Tuesday morning last to make contact with them at Galway Garda Station on 091-538000 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666-111.

“This pre-planned attack was prevented by the Garda patrol in the area at the time and we are pursuing a number of specific lines of inquiry in our investigation of the incident.

“Two males wearing hoodies fled from the vehicle but we are making significant progress in our investigation to identify and arrest the people involved,” Detective Superintendent Shane Cummins told the Galway City Tribune.

This latest planned firearms and arson attempt is understood to be part of the ongoing dispute between criminal gangs in the city area who are involved in the sale and distribution of illegal drugs.

“These are reckless acts of endangerment involving firearms, live ammunition, and petrol which carry a serious threat in terms of death or serious injury.

“We are closely monitoring the activity of these gangs with increased patrols in different parts of the city – we are anxious that anyone with information of assistance should make contact in confidence with us,” said Det Supt Cummins.