It is “only a matter of time” before someone in Ballymun is seriously injured amid an escalating drug feud in the area, a crime journalist has predicted. 

On Tuesday afternoon, a man with a gun was spotted in the Ballymun area, leading Gardaí to give chase. 

It is understood the man then threw the gun into the bushes, where it was picked up by a child, who fired it - thinking perhaps it was a toy. 

Not long afterwards, two men arrived and snatched the gun away from the child. 

On Newstalk Daily, Irish Sun Crime Editor Stephen Breen said Gardaí have been unable to locate the gun since then.

“Unfortunately the firearm hasn't been recovered yet,” he explained. 

“It's the Gardaí's belief that when the child had the firearm, it was then taken from the child by two individuals who were on an e-scooter.” 

However, the incident is not the only time in the recent past that gun crime in the area has come to the attention of Gardaí. 

Just days beforehand, another gun was found close to a Ballymun playground. 

“It shows that weapons are being brought onto busy residential streets and in broad daylight and it shows that those involved in this criminality don't care about the lives of the residents they're terrorising in the area,” Mr Breen said. 

“The concern is if the child does come across it, it's only a matter of time before someone gets seriously injured or indeed worse. 

“It was found just close to a playground where kids had been playing that day.

“There were families around that day using that playground which is quite popular in Ballymun; thankfully, on this occasion, the gun was recovered before any damage could be done.” 

Gardaí in Dublin. Picture by: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie.

It is understood the incidents are linked to a drug feud between rival gangs in the area, which has already resulted in several violent attacks. 

Most seriously, a young man called Kevin Kelly was knocked down and killed by a car last year. 

“Shots have been fired into people's homes,” Mr Breen said. 

“A number of people have been assaulted and, of course, you mentioned there about the killing of Kevin Kelly last year.

“So, one person has already lost their life; there have been numerous incidents in relation to this feud and the concern is that it could escalate.” 

Since Mr Kelly’s death, there have been not other fatalities as a result of the feud, but Gardaí are worried that his associates could yet try and avenge him. 

“It shows that a feud of this nature, it can start with someone being assaulted,” he said. 

“Then, of course, it can lead to homes being targeted, it can lead to shots being fired at homes. 

“On this occasion, you have a weapon being discarded where a child picks it up and it's always the case in feuds of this nature where it is very reckless, where innocent people could get caught up in it. 

“I think that's why the Guards are taking it very seriously and have increased patrols in the area.” 

Gardaí have asked for anyone with any information to contact Ballymun Garda Station.

Main image: Gardaí in Ballymun earlier this year. Picture by: RollingNews.ie.