Senior Garda management last night withdrew a lot from a public auction after it emerged that it contained what officers described as "toy guns".
This followed calls from Fine Gael's justice spokesman Jim O'Keeffe for the items to be removed from the auction, which takes place at Kevin Street Garda station today.
He claimed the items "sent out the wrong message" at a time when the number of firearms offences has increased.
It is understood that a box of some 27 "toy" or "replica" firearms, complete with plastic ammunition and two training targets, formed part of the withdrawn lot.
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 formed part of lot 59, which also included a baseball bat, kiteboards, a Rodger Federer tennis racket and a DJ record bag brimful of floor-filling dance, soul and rap classics.
"I think it's inappropriate that the Garda Síochána should even get into the area of involvement with items that could in certain circumstances pass as imitation guns," Mr O'Keeffe said.
"There are two problems here: one is the increase in firearms offences in recent years; and, second, 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 imitation or toy guns. I think it's inappropriate and is sending out the wrong message."
Responding last night, a spokesman for the Garda press office said it had been decided to withdraw the lot in question.
"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," he said, "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Garda management, on becoming aware of the matter, has instructed that the lot which contained a number of toy guns be withdrawn from the sale". - (Additional reporting PA)