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Sawn-off shotgun dumped in woman's recycling bin

The gun found dumped in a bin outside a young mother's home
The gun found dumped in a bin outside a young mother's home The gun found dumped in a bin outside a young mother's home

A west Belfast mother was evacuated from her home yesterday after finding a sawn-off shotgun and live cartridges in her recycling bin.

The gun is believed to have dumped over the last few days and was discovered when the woman went to put out rubbish at her Moyard home at around lunchtime.

She at first removed the weapon from the bin, thinking it was a toy, before contacting local community representatives.

The PSNI were then called to the scene and the area sealed off.

The gun appeared to be an older ceremonial-style weapon, which may have been stolen during a robbery.

Army technical officers attended after fears there may have been other items left nearby but declared the area safe and the road was reopened to traffic.

The weapon is not linked to Sunday's dissident republican attack on a police officer in north Belfast.

It was taken away by police for forensic examination.

Sinn Féin representative Pat Sheehan said the discovery was "traumatising" for the woman, who has a small child.

"This was a weapon and ammunition dumped in the garden of a young family without any regard for their safety.

"It was clearly a very traumatic experience for the homeowner and I welcome the fact this weapon has now been taken off the streets".

The PSNI said: "Police in west Belfast have recovered a suspected firearm following a police operation at Vere Foster Walk.

"The firearm was discovered in a bin in the area and has now been taken away for further examination".