Man on imitation firearm charge appears in Longford court

An eastern European man is to appear back in court next month after being charged in connection to possessing an imitation handgun in Granard last week.

The man appeared at a special sitting of Longford District Court on Sunday after being arrested on Friday night.

Officers aligned to the Gardaí's Armed Response Unit were drafted in after a number of reports from the public were received.

Armed officers later arrested the man at his home and detained under Section 30 of the Offences against the State Act, 1939 at Longford garda station.

An imitation firearm and holster, along with a number of other exhibits were recovered during the course of a search at the man's home.

Despite gardaí applying for the man to be remanded in custody, he was granted bail subject to a number of strict conditions.

He is due to appear back before a sitting of Longford District Court on February 21.