Gardaí have sent a file to the Director of Public Prosectuions on the case of the man who was arrested in Cork airport yesterday after he was found to be in possession of a gun.
The unloaded gun was found as he tried to pass through airport security on his way to board a flight to England yesterday afternoon. The pistol, was found in his carry-on hand luggage.
A garda source told ireland.com that the gun was an antique and has been sent for further forensic examination.
No ammunition was found with the gun, which was 200 years old and incapable of firing live rounds.
The man, who is in his 30s, was arrested under Section 30 of the Offences against the State Act and was taken to Togher Garda Station. He was questioned for several hours and was released last night.
He was scheduled to board an Aer Lingus flight from Cork to London yesterday afternoon. It is understood he claimed that he had the gun as a family heirloom and was en route to London to have the antique piece valued.