Man released after Kildare shotgun incident

A 61-year-old man arrested in Co Kildare on Monday after a shotgun was waved at workmen has been released from custody.

The man, who held the firearm legally, was arrested by armed gardaí after he left the scene of the alleged incident.

It is understood the weapon was produced after the man became irate at noise the workmen were making in a neighbour’s house

Nobody was hurt in the incident which took place just before lunchtime at Oaklawn Close in Leixlip, Co Kildare and which only lasted a matter of seconds. The individual subsequently left the gun in his house before leaving the residence.

Gardaí were contacted by a member of the public and the armed Regional Support Unit (SRU) which responds to incidents that have the potential to pose a considerable threat was dispatched.

The man was arrested at about 4pm and was held under Section 30 of the Offences against the State Act.

The firearm brandished in the incident was seized by gardaí.

The man was released without charge late last night and a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.