[ad_1]
Armed Gardaí in Co Donegal were dispatched to the scene of an “armed robbery” before realizing that a rap video was actually being recorded.
Concerned bystanders contacted the Gardaí when they saw men in military-style clothing brandishing weapons at the Brendan gas station in Drung on the Inishowen Peninsula.
Officers immediately launched a large-scale response.
Buncrana Garda Station Inspector Shaun Grant said the incident was treated “very seriously” by Gardaí, before they realized it was “some kind of artistic creation” and not a robbery.
Firearms
“The initial report was that there were several masked men in possession of firearms on the premises. This was a very serious call and it was given the attention it deserved, ”he explained.
“We are in a border area here and when we receive reports of this type of activity, we have to take them very seriously and very seriously.”
The uniformed members initially rushed to the scene, while armed detectives had also been dispatched and were heading to the scene.
However, it was soon realized that “armed robbery” was actually somewhat less sinister.
Inspector Grant added that it was not obvious that it was not a serious incident and that they had to act accordingly after the public made contact.
He said: “A gradual response was being implemented before we realized that it was not as serious as initially thought.
“Later it emerged that individuals were involved in the realization of some type of artistic creation, and we were satisfied that this was the case.”
“Fortunately it was not a serious incident, as we were informed, but that was not immediately obvious from the beginning,” he added.
The store’s owner, Brendan Doherty, said he knew nothing about the filming of a video before what had happened at his facility.
He said: “A passerby called me to tell me there were six men in the store and they had masks and guns. So I called the guards and stayed in the house until they arrived ”.
CCTV Images
He said Gardai was subsequently able to review the CCTV footage and they were able to see that the incident was being filmed by one of the people involved.
“Looking back after the event now, it was easy to see that it was harmless enough, but at the time we didn’t know what it was.”
“It was serious at the time.”
And although no one was injured, Gardai says they should have been informed in advance of what was happening.
Inspector Grant said Gardai will “follow up” with those involved, while “the matter will be further considered.”
He said the relevant authorities should have known in advance that it was a video and not something more sinister.
“The fact that no one found out what was happening meant that it had to be taken seriously.”
“It would have been useful if everyone concerned had been informed in advance of what was happening.”
“We will stay in touch with the organizers of this,” confirmed Inspector Grant.
[ad_2]