Guns found hidden in walls of chainsaw killer Paul Wells' Dublin home

• Published date: 23 March 2023
• Publication title: DublinLive (Ireland)

The Mirror has confirmed that a submachine gun and revolver are set to be forensically examined after they were allegedly found hidden in a cavity wall in the former home of chainsaw killer Paul Wells late last week. He is serving life for the gruesome gun murder of his mechanic pal Kenneth O'Brien in Dublin – whose body he then dismembered with a chainsaw and dumped in a rural stretch of the Grand Canal

Wells (55) has been locked up since he was found guilty of the February 2016 murder of Mr O'Brien, but the firearm he used to shoot the victim in the head has never been recovered – and detectives now suspect one of the guns found in the killer's old home could be it. A submachine gun, revolver as well as ammunition were found by workmen in the cavity wall of Wells' ex-home in Dublin late last week – more than seven years after he was arrested for the gruesome murder of his pal Kenneth O'Brien.

Sources last night said investigators believe Wells (54) hid them in the wall before his February 2016 arrest – and the find had nothing to do with anyone currently in the house. "The strong belief is they belonged to Wells and nobody else knew anything about them," a source said last night.

"There is of course a strong possibility that one of them is the murder weapon." Garda ballistics experts are now set to examine the firearms, which are believed to be in good condition. Sources say they are from the old Soviet Union and are more than 30 years old.

They hope to find either DNA or fingerprints on the firearms – and then use the evidence to put firearms charges to Wells. Even though he is serving life for the murder of Mr O'Brien, he could be hit with charges over the two guns, although he is unlikely to serve any more prison time for that offence, if convicted.

They are also keen to confirm if one of the two firearms is the murder weapon. The grim find was made at Wells' former home in Finglas, north Dublin on St. Patrick's Day. It's understood work was being done at the home when they made the find and the current resident – who has no idea the weapons were there – immediately contacted gardai.

A spokesman confirmed last night that officers were investigating a suspected weapons find at a house in Finglas last Friday. He said: "Gardaí are investigating the discovery of two suspected firearms at a residence in the Finglas South area of Dublin 11 on the afternoon of Friday 17th March 2023.

"The suspected firearms will be sent to the Garda Ballistics Unit for...