The danger of Hallowe'en fun ending in "terrible tragedy" was highlighted yesterday when a Garda ballistics expert gave a fireworks display with a message.
Det Garda Shane Henry detonated bangers, rockets, Catherine wheels, whistling rockets, exploding rockets and fountains to show how fireworks can maim and injure.
Insp John Farrelly, of the Garda Press Office, said the possession of fireworks is illegal, and parents have a responsibility to ensure their children do not cause injury to themselves or others.
"We consider the Black Cat bangers, which must be struck off the side of a matchbox before being thrown, to be the most dangerous. You could get your fingers blown off. We have already had an eye injury this year in Co Louth," said Insp Farrelly. These bangers have only a five-second fuse.
He said that the "spirit of Hallowe'en" had changed somewhat in recent times and an element of "blackguardism" had crept in. "It has moved away from being fun. They seem to be using the fireworks and bangers as targets now and throwing them at each other."
One of the main concerns is that the instructions sold with the fireworks are usually written in Chinese, making their use even more dangerous. A number of the products brought into Ireland are sub-standard, he said.
"Fireworks and bangers are a very real danger. Every year Hallowe'en fun ends in terrible tragedy for a number of children with fingers burned or eyes lost or injured, some of them maimed for life. Making up home-made bangers or any experiments of this nature should be banned by parents, wholly and absolutely," he said.
Gardai seized fireworks worth £500,000 on October 7th in Finglas, Dublin. "There are a number of fast-buck merchants out there who will be trying to bring in more, but we have definitely put a big dent in the supply and will continue to treat it very seriously."