Commercially Retailed L96A1 Rifle

[Strangely Brown]

What happened to the Irish contract rifles? Is there a chance of them coming onto the private market one day or are they headed for distraction at the end of their army careers?

I did some research in 2004 regarding what Lee Enfield's the Garda owned; it appears they took in some 53 No.4's during the 1950's & early 60's but then destroyed a quantity in 1978 for fear of attack on their armoury by PIRA. I believe from some accounts gleamed from the IDF these were dumped at sea!
They also sold a quantity to a UK dealer in 1982; I did wonder if this was to Armalon?

It begs the question; did Ireland sign up to that UN clause to destroy surplus weapons rather than sell them abroad?