A man who threatened Ireland soccer manager Steve Staunton with a replica firearm has asked gardaí to apologise to him on his behalf.
The man was released without charge into the custody of his parents at Malahide Garda station at 5.30pm yesterday.
About the same time gardaí met Mr Staunton and FAI chief executive John Delaney to discuss security arrangements around the Ireland squad. However, informed sources said the incident in Portmarnock on Monday night is being treated as a public order matter and neither gardaí, Mr Staunton nor the FAI saw any need to increase security around the squad.
The man at the centre of the case is a 31-year-old from Portmarnock with a history of alcohol abuse and depression. He has been barred from a number of pubs in the Malahide and Portmarnock areas.
Senior Garda sources said they were satisfied the man had not acted in a premeditated fashion. They were satisfied he had not set out to target Mr Staunton or any of the Irish squad.
While a file on the matter was being sent to the DPP, gardaí said the man questioned about the incident was likely to escape charges.
He was said to be "extremely embarrassed".
