Two gardaí hospitalised after falling ill while handling cannabis vapes

Two male gardaí who were handling cannabis vapes that had been seized became unwell when they were processing the items this afternoon. The incident at Edenderry Garda Station in Co Offaly sparked a major security alert and the closure of the station. The two gardaí were rushed to hospital with one of the members currently in a more serious condition than the other. “One of the gardaí is particularly unwell in hospital tonight,” a senior source said. Gardaí have not yet established exactly the reason for the officers becoming ill but the source said that it its being investigated that some of the THC oil contained in the vapes may have leaked and reacted with lithium batteries in the devices. “Or maybe it was just a general fault with the lithium batteries that caused this toxic effect,” the source pointed out. “Some of the vapes had been damaged and the two gardaí were bagging the items at the time that this happened. “There may have been a fault with the lithium batteries. The vapes will undergo technical examination” the source added. At one stage gardaí were considering calling in experts from the army bomb disposal unit to the station but ultimately decided against this. Edenderry Garda Station which is not open 24 hours will remain closed until a “deep clean” happens at the facility with gardai from the station being relocated to Tullamore. Gardaí announced details of the incident tonight in a statement. “Two members of An Garda Síochána have been hospitalised after becoming unwell whilst on duty earlier today, Wednesday 22nd July 2026, at Edenderry Garda station,” they said. “The members were involved in processing vape products seized from a commercial premises during an ongoing investigation. “Both male members are currently in hospital under medical assessment. “An Garda Síochána is providing welfare support to the hospitalised members and their families at this time. “Edenderry Garda Station will remain closed pending further examination and specialist deep cleaning tomorrow Thursday 23rd July 2026. “Policing services in the area are being provided from Tullamore Garda Station “An Garda Síochána has no further comment at this time pending outcome of ongoing enquiries into the cause of the members feeling unwell,” the statement concluded. Gardaí have been involved in a large number of cannabis vape seizures across Ireland in recent weeks. Earlier this month two men were arrested and later charged after gardai found large quantities of cannabis-infused jellies and cannabis oil-infused vapes with an estimated value of over €2 million after targeted searches of vape shops around the country. So-called ‘reefer’ cigarettes containing hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) were also discovered during searches of five businesses and two homes in Castlebar, Co Mayo, Drogheda, Co Louth, Longford and Carlow on 2 July and 8 July.