Packages containing foil blankets found on Cork coast spark Garda operation

A garda spokesman said it is a reminder to people on Ireland’s coastline to be on the alert and vigilant for anything unusual on the coast, particularly in the light of past drug seizures

Sources said that small packages were washed up along the coast between Rosscarbery and Clonakilty, being found by walkers on well-known beaches including Long Strand (pictured), Red Strand and the Warren over the weekend of October 5 and 6. File picture: Dan Linehan

Mysterious packages found on West Cork’s coastline sparked a garda operation to establish if they contained illegal drugs, but they turned out to be foil blankets used to prevent hypothermia.

A garda search dog was brought in after members of the public contacted gardaí about the packages. However, after the packages were opened by gardaí, they were found to contain foil blankets thought to have fallen from a passing boat.