Gardai arrested a man after footage emerged of him brandishing what appeared to be a handgun in the middle of a busy Dublin street.
Shocking footage emerged on Monday of the man, who appeared to be in a distressed state, hobbling around and caressing what looked like a glock pistol on Tara Street in Dublin City Centre.
The video, which went viral on social media, was filmed by a stunned onlooker who witnessed the man walking around with the apparent weapon in broad daylight.
Gardai in Pearse Street were alerted by several members of the public that a man appeared to be walking around the city centre with a gun.
Officers apprehended the man on the nearby George’s Quay moments later - and “disarmed” him on the street.
In a statement to this paper gardai confirmed that a man in his 30s was arrested on Monday and remained in custody on Tuesday.
“Gardai were alerted to a number of reports of a man in the area with a suspected firearm.
“He was disarmed, arrested and conveyed to Pearse Street garda station where he is currently detained under Section 30 Offences Against the State Act, 1939,” a garda spokesperson told this paper.
It is understood that gardai now believe the gun is a replica - but it is understood that this is still considered to be a ‘firearm’ and an offence for a person to carry.
Recent legislation makes it an offence for a person to possess a realistic imitation firearm in a public place without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.
A person found guilty of possessing a replica of this nature could face up to five years imprisonment.
And speaking to this paper in the wake of the incident, local Dublin city councillor Mannix Flynn said such incidents have become too common in the capital.
“This is an incident that is all too commonplace. Remember the firearms Act is really clear. Anything that imitates a gun constitutes a firearm and is an offence.”
Mr Flynn said this is part of what he says is a larger problem of crime and violence in Dublin - and he says people are living in genuine fear.
“The vast majority of people living in the city now are very fearful. Most people have not been assaulted but most have witnessed an assault with their own eyes.
“The idea that Dublin is a safe place doesn’t hold up when the place is full of fear.
“For me it’s all too often that when you’re on streets and you confront somebody the chances are they will be weaponized
“In most cases this is the situation. You’ve got to be very much on your toes.”
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