Garda remains in hospital after collapsing while handling suspected cannabinoid vapes

The source said the vapes believed to have caused the gardaí to become ill had been stored securely in a box.

A garda remains in hospital after becoming seriously ill and collapsing while handling confiscated vapes believed to contain cannabinoids.

Two gardaí were sorting through the seized vapes as evidence in a storeroom at Edenderry Garda Station, Co Offaly, on Wednesday when they became ill.

One of the men collapsed and both were taken to hospital for emergency treatment.

The vapes, which gardaí believe contain cannabis or synthetic cannabinoids, had been seized from a business and were believed to have been intended for sale through vape shops.

Garda remains in hospital

“One of the men remains in hospital, the other has been released," a local garda source said.

“Both men, one is a sergeant and one is a garda, are fit and healthy. They're in their 30s.

“If these fine, fit, healthy gardaí who train hard can be hit like this, I worry about what would happen to kids.”

The source added: “No one knows what’s in these things [vapes]. Vape shops are popping up everywhere and everyone is using them and passing them around."

The source said the vapes believed to have caused the gardaí to become ill had been stored securely in a box.

“But young people are sleeping with them under their pillows, in their jacket pockets, hidden from their parents. People don’t even know where they are."

The vapes, which were seized approximately two weeks ago, are currently being tested, but investigators believe they contain cannabinoids.

Station closed for decontamination

Edenderry Garda Station remained closed on Thursday to allow for decontamination.

“I’ve never seen a station closed down with people scared of what’s in the air," a garda source said.

“Sometimes, when powder arrives in a package at the station, there can be some concern about what it is. But I’ve never seen a station closed down because there’s a fear over what chemicals could be in the air as a result of what has been seized.”

The source said the two men were sorting through the seized vapes in a station storeroom when they became ill and suggested the recent warm weather may have affected the products.

“They had to go to hospital from just doing their jobs.

"It’s shocking. And it could have been a whole lot worse. I think their high level of fitness saved them to some extent," a source said.

"The two lads will be ok, but what would have happened to a child or someone else?"

Investigation under way

Dr Eoin Fogarty of Cork University Hospital said cannabis vapes are causing people health problems.

He said cannabis vapes can have health impacts similar to regular cannabis use, with patients presenting with symptoms including cyclical vomiting, mental health issues and dependency.

Gardaí are now working to establish whether the vapes had leaked and whether there were any issues with their lithium batteries.

“The members were involved in processing vape products seized from a commercial premises during an ongoing investigation,” a garda statement said.

“An Garda Síochána is providing welfare support to the hospitalised members and their families at this time.”

Local policing services are being provided from Tullamore Garda Station while Edenderry Garda Station remains closed for decontamination and investigation.