A massive illegal supply network for lethal samurai swords has been smashed after detectives raided a warehouse and seized 7,000 of the deadly weapons.
The huge haul was recovered after gardai acting on a warrant searched a business and several other premises in north inner city Dublin.
A number of air-rifles were also seized in the operation on Monday.
Garda detectives said on Wednesday night that they believed the raid had brought down a large illegal supply network dealing in the deadly swords.
Justice Minister Dermot Ahern praised the work of the gardai.
Two men in their 20s were detained after the weapons were recovered on Monday but have since been released without charge.
Hundreds of swords were still in boxes while scores more, with blades ranging in size from one to four foot long, were on display.
Other weapons included carved handle and decorative oriental knives, ninja and samurai style axes and other accessories.
The raids, carried out by gardai from the Bridewell, took place at a shop, warehouse and other premises in the Smithfield area.
Outlawed
The sale and supply of the swords were outlawed on September 1st this year.
The crackdown was part of Mr Ahern's efforts to limit knife crime on the streets, but does not apply to hand-carved swords made before 1954.
Mr Ahern's spokesman said: "The Minister has been on record in recent years about the dangers posed by samurai swords. They have been used with very damaging effect on our streets.
"Because of that he introduced legislation banning the swords.
"The seizure of such a vast quantity of samurai swords should reduce significantly any threat these swords might have proved to the public."
Anyone illegally in possession of the samurai style swords face up to seven years in prison. The penalty for possessing a knife in a public place has also been increased from one to five years.
Gardai from from the Bridewell's crime prevention unit assisted by district detectives the divisional crime task force and neighbourhood police led the raids.
A file on the discovery was being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
© Press Association