Gardaí have made one arrest, following a suspected firearms seizure in Turloughmore, Co Galway.
The rifle, along with a silencer and a scope, was found during a search of a property in the area yesterday morning.
Local gardai were assisted by colleagues from the Armed Support Unit for the operation, which forms part of a wider investigation "into criminal activity in the Galway area".
Ballistics experts will conduct a further analysis of the firearm, which was found in the course of a search of a house and surrounding land.
A man in his twenties was arrested on foot of the seizure and has been charged in connection with the find.
Detectives in Galway say their investigations are ongoing.
