Five quizzed as gardaí seize €20k worth of fireworks

Five men from the Mullingar area have been questioned by gardaí following the confiscation of fireworks worth an estimated €20,000 from vans parked near Kilmallock mart.

Gardaí from Kilmallock and Bruff, accompanied by customs officers, carried out a planned raid as part of operation “Tombola” — targeting the importation of fireworks over the Halloween period.

The fireworks were found concealed in vans parked near the mart.

Supt Alan Cunningham, of Bruff divisional headquarters, who led the operation, said the fireworks originated in China and they suspect they were brought in through the North for sale here.

The find included up to 60 types of firework and some had rocket attachments.

Supt Cunningham said: “Initially we estimated the street value of the items confiscated was about €10,000, but we now estimate they have a street value of double this amount.”

Five men questioned were released without charge and a file is being prepared for the DPP.

Supt Cunningham, said the importation, sale, purchase and use of fireworks, without a licence, is illegal under the Criminal Justice Act 2006 and penalties include fines of up to €10,000 and terms of imprisonment of up to five years.

It is envisaged that charges will be brought and gardaí will seek a court order to have the fireworks destroyed.

Supt Cunningham, said: “We would advise parents to be extra vigilant regarding fireworks at this time of year as many children end up in hospital emergency departments with serious injuries from exploding fireworks. If they find fireworks they should alert gardaí to have them disposed of.”