Gardaí stick necks out to come between swans

TWO swans met unexpectedly in a Dublin doorway yesterday, leading to one of the most unusual arrests of a garda’s career.

Local boutique owner Maura Swan opened the door of her Drumcondra home to find a wayward swan on her doorstep. And only a few yards away stood a garda ready to pounce.

The swan, probably from the nearby Tolka River, caused early morning traffic chaos on Drumcondra Road when he walked along the centre of the very busy roadway. Gda Paul Ruane, a member of traffic division based in Dublin Castle, had managed to shepherd the swan into Mrs Swan’s front garden.

Mrs Swan took Gda Ruane’s advice and left by the back door so she could open nearby Jan’s Boutique which she has owned and managed for 30 years.

When she returned some time later two garda squad cars were parked nearby where several adults and children had gathered. “Everybody was having a good laugh,” she said.

The swan was in front of the house for almost an hour before Sgt Kieran Kinsella, also from the traffic division, pounced with a blanket and bundled it into a squad car.

The wayward swan, none the worse for his experience, was taken back to the Tolka River and waddled happily into the water.

“This is the most unusual arrest I have ever made,” Sgt Kinsella remarked.

Sgt Kinsella said they managed to throw the blanket over the swan before he could flap his wings. He continued to hold the bird in the car before they returned to the river.

“He was as quiet as a mouse in the car. When we got to the river we put him on the ground before taking off the blanket. He waddled happily down to the river and went away.”

It was Sgt Kinsella’s second encounter with a swan. Fifteen years ago he had to take a wayward swan to Tallaght Station in a blanket. So is he now an experienced swan handler. “Once every 15 years? I don’t think so!” Perhaps when it comes to dealing with waterbirds, yesterday was his swansong.