Edenderry Garda station closed after gardaí become unwell while processing seized vapes

Specialist deep cleaning to take place on Thursday while policing services in area are being provided from Tullamore

Edenderry Garda station will remain closed pending further examination. Photograph: Google Street View
Edenderry Garda station will remain closed pending further examination. Photograph: Google Street View

Edenderry Garda station has been closed and two gardaí have been hospitalised following an incident involving seized vapes at the Co Offaly station.

The gardaí were involved in processing vape products seized from a commercial premises during an ongoing investigation on Wednesday when they became unwell.

The two men are in hospital under medical assessment and are expected to remain there overnight. Their condition is unknown.

An Garda Síochána said it was providing “welfare support” to the two members and their families.

It said Edenderry Garda station would remain closed pending further examination and specialist deep cleaning was to take place on Thursday. Policing services in the area are being provided from Tullamore Garda station.

It is understood gardaí do not suspect any sinister motive behind the incident, but that the two members became unwell possibly due to fumes or leaks from the items while they were packaging and labelling them for evidence.

The force said it had no further comment pending the outcomes of continuing enquiries.

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Colin Gleeson

Colin Gleeson

Colin Gleeson is an Irish Times reporter