Gardaí withdraw toy guns from sale
Gardai tonight withdrew a controversial set of toy guns from sale in an auction of lost and stolen goods.
The 27 replicas, complete with plastic ammunition and two training targets, were part of a lot being sold to the highest bidder tomorrow at Kevin Street Garda Station.
Even though they faced calls from a senior opposition politician for the silver and black-coloured mock pistols to be pulled from the sale, gardai initially insisted they were harmless toys.
But they were forced into an embarrassing climbdown after senior garda management became aware exactly what was being offered.
In a statement gardai said: “As a result of concerns raised in relation to one of the Lots due for auction at tomorrow’s auction of miscellaneous items at Kevin Street Garda Station. ”Senior garda management, on becoming aware of the matter, has instructed that the Lot which contained a number of toy guns be withdrawn from the sale.“
Opposition Justice spokesman Jim O’Keeffe had demanded they be taken off the sale insisting they were entirely inappropriate.
The senior Fine Gael TD said gardai were sending out the wrong message at a time when the country is in the grip of a surging gun culture.
Latest figures from the Central Statistics Office show that there were 353 robberies and aggravated burglaries involving firearms in 2005.
“I think it’s inappropriate that the Garda Siochana should even get into the area of involvement with items that could in certain circumstances pass as imitation guns,” said Mr O’Keeffe.
“There are two problems here: One is the increase in firearms offences in recent years and, secondly, in a number of crimes imitation guns are used.
“I think it’s really sending out the wrong signal to have a Garda sale with guns, imitation or toy guns. I think it’s inappropriate and is sending out the wrong message.”
The ’BB’ pistols were presented in individual boxes with a jar of 500 pellet bullets each and two training targets.
The manufacturer warns on the packaging that the guns should not be aimed at eyes or faces and should not be discharged at point blank range.
They are part of Lot 59 which includes a baseball bat, kiteboards, a Rodger Federer tennis racket and a DJ record bag brimful of floor-filling dance, soul and rap classics.
Other items to go under the hammer are four wheelchairs, prams, pogo sticks, a radiator but mostly construction tools.
