A 21-year-old man was being held at Cabra Garda Station early this morning having been arrested inside the grounds of Aras an Uachtarain last night.
The man, who was said to be very drunk, had a Japanese-style sword in his possession as well as a rucksack and sleeping bag. He appeared to have climbed into the grounds Aras for a place to sleep.
A Garda spokesman said the man appeared to have been evicted from his lodgings earlier in the day and had all his possessions with him. "We understand he has an interest in karate and the sword was part of the equipment he used.
"There would appear to have been nothing sinister in the fact that he was carrying it at the time of his arrest," he said.
A spokesperson for President McAleese said she was attending a meeting when the incident occurred and was appraised of the situation when the meeting ended shortly before 10 p.m.
The spokesperson added that she did not know if the incident would lead to a review of security at the Aras.
"The fact that the man was apprehended immediately inside the perimeter would seem to indicate security was working very well.
"There would appear to have been no danger. The man was apprehended very quickly and a long way from the house."