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Toddler's 'Minions' toy gun confiscated at Ireland airport

By Doug G. Ware

DUBLIN, Ireland, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- A toddler's toy gun -- which is big and blue from the new Minions film -- was confiscated by security officers at Dublin International Airport Saturday, officials said.

Daire Fitzpatrick said her young son, Leo, was passing through security when security officers seized the Minions Fart Blaster toy.

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"Sometime, common sense and compassion can be employed," Fitzpatrick wrote on Facebook. "Even though the security officer admitted that his child has the same toy and he was fully aware of its function and the reality of its threat level."

Dublin airport officials said although it might sound ridiculous, the seizing of the toy is part of its vigorous security routine that bans firearms and firearm replicas from commercial flights. And because airport security procedures are audited by two external bodies, officials say they have to abide by the regulations.

The airport will return the toy to Fitzpatrick upon their return to Ireland from the United Kingdom.

"The usual standards are not only woefully below par when it comes to important things, but now apparently when it comes to obviously harmless toys that light up a little boy's life they are frustratingly laughable," she continued on Facebook.

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