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06/01/2010
Slovakian Police Apologise Over 'Forgotten' Explosives
Slovakian police have apologised for causing a major bomb alert, claiming one of their officers "forgot" to remove planted explosives during a "security test".
Gardaí were alerted yesterday morning by police in Bratislava to the smuggling of plastic explosives by an apparently oblivious stooge during a test of the country's customs systems, according to a statement today from Slovak authorities.
The Slovakian man who was carrying the explosives was returning to Ireland after a Christmas break before being arrested in a Dorset Street flat in Dublin.
Slovak police said today they planted the explosives in the luggage of the unsuspecting air traveller to be smuggled into Ireland in order to test their security.
"It was the mistake of a single policeman who forgot to remove the explosives after a dog found them during a security test at (Bratislava's) Poprad airport on Saturday," border police chief Tibor Mako said.
"The explosives were attached by accident to the backpack of the 49-year-old Slovak electrician, who unknowingly brought them to his flat in Dublin.
"We are very sorry that a good effort to test the security of civilian air transport turned out so badly," Mr Mako added.
Both Gardiner Street and Lower Dorset street were closed off for about an hour during the operation. Meanwhile, the adjoining homes and businesses were evacuated as the Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit removed the military grade explosive for further analysis.
The bizarre event has prompted Fine Gael's Billy Timins to demand full details of the incident, saying shortfalls needed to be addressed.
"It doesn't bear thinking about to utilize that quantity of that kind of explosive on a security exercise, unchecked and without a complete and thorough audit, the entire exercise appears haphazard.
"Whatever about the minister requesting a full report on the matter, steps must be taken immediately to rectify current security shortfalls.
"Given that the terrorist threat is now global and that no nation or people are immune from that threat, this security breach and the fact that the breach went undetected are serious issues of concern," he said.
(DW/GK)
Gardaí were alerted yesterday morning by police in Bratislava to the smuggling of plastic explosives by an apparently oblivious stooge during a test of the country's customs systems, according to a statement today from Slovak authorities.
The Slovakian man who was carrying the explosives was returning to Ireland after a Christmas break before being arrested in a Dorset Street flat in Dublin.
Slovak police said today they planted the explosives in the luggage of the unsuspecting air traveller to be smuggled into Ireland in order to test their security.
"It was the mistake of a single policeman who forgot to remove the explosives after a dog found them during a security test at (Bratislava's) Poprad airport on Saturday," border police chief Tibor Mako said.
"The explosives were attached by accident to the backpack of the 49-year-old Slovak electrician, who unknowingly brought them to his flat in Dublin.
"We are very sorry that a good effort to test the security of civilian air transport turned out so badly," Mr Mako added.
Both Gardiner Street and Lower Dorset street were closed off for about an hour during the operation. Meanwhile, the adjoining homes and businesses were evacuated as the Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit removed the military grade explosive for further analysis.
The bizarre event has prompted Fine Gael's Billy Timins to demand full details of the incident, saying shortfalls needed to be addressed.
"It doesn't bear thinking about to utilize that quantity of that kind of explosive on a security exercise, unchecked and without a complete and thorough audit, the entire exercise appears haphazard.
"Whatever about the minister requesting a full report on the matter, steps must be taken immediately to rectify current security shortfalls.
"Given that the terrorist threat is now global and that no nation or people are immune from that threat, this security breach and the fact that the breach went undetected are serious issues of concern," he said.
(DW/GK)
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