Three members of An Garda Síochána are to be investigated by a senior officer after they brought non-lethal weapons purchased in Germany to Stanstead Airport, outside London.
The three are in their 20s and are based in Dublin. They were with three other men on a stag party in Berlin when they bought the weapons, which are not banned in Germany.
CS gas, stun guns, pepper spray and telescopic batons were amongst the items purchased. When the men attempted to return home via Stanstead on Wednesday, they were stopped in Berlin, where some items were confiscated. The remaining items were put on the plane with their luggage but were confiscated when they reached Stanstead.
The men were interviewed by customs officers. However, they were not arrested, and were permitted to return home. The UK authorities informed gardaí and when the men landed in Dublin on Wednesday they were quizzed by gardaí.
Supt John Farrelly of the garda press office said a report would be prepared on the matter and would be forwarded to the Garda Commissioner, Mr Noel Conroy. Mr Conroy would then decide what action, if any, should be taken. While the investigation was at any early stage, gardaí were satisfied the six men did not have criminal intent and that the incident was "not sinister".
:quality(70)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/irishtimes/564969e4-d81d-474d-b348-d41dfe1aeced.png)