Criminals pay €100,000 for bulletproof BMW
The BMW X5 which has bulletproof glass and armour-plating
Friday April 04 2008
The top-of-the-range vehicle that the Dundon-McCarthy gang has splashed out more than €100,000 on.
In a bid to protect themselves against attacks from opposing criminal gangs in Limerick, the gang have purchased the BMW X5 4x4 luxury vehicle, which is equipped with bulletproof glass and is fully armour-plated.
Earlier this week, young gang members drove around Limerick prison taunting inmates and rival criminals inside the jail, using the PA system.
Feud
Security conscious Limerick criminals have worn bulletproof vests since the gangland feud erupted eight years ago, but armour-plated vehicles have taken this to a new level.
The 2006 registered silver BMW has an extremely powerful 4.4l petrol engine and was purchased last month through the gang's contacts in Dublin.
The specially reinforced bulletproof glass on the customised vehicle is an inch thick. It is also fully armour-plated to withstand any gun attacks or explosives.
It can even survive an assault withan AK47 or MI6 rifle. Incredibly, it can also absorb a small-scale explosion under its chassis.
Special steel and other materials, including aramid fibres - as used in bulletproof vests - were used to strengthen the exterior and underneath.
It is still capable of driving at 50km an hour if its tyres are deflated by bullets.
The Dundon-McCarthy gang also acquired a three series BMW, which is protected with a full metal jacket.
It was impounded earlier by gardai this year following a high speed chase.
Tensions have risen between Limerick's feuding gangs in recent weeks.
- Barry Duggan
