Astrophotographer sparks armed police response after setting up a tripod on a beach in Ireland
Apr 3, 2018
Dunja Đuđić Kalinin
Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, concerts, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.
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As we’ve seen before, someone’s tripod and the camera can get confused for a rifle. This is what recently happened in south Kerry, Ireland. As a Cork-based photographer started setting up a tripod in Derrynane at Caherdaniel, a passer-by noticed him. The man thought he was a sniper and notified the police, which led to a dramatic and almost comical response from a large number of armed policemen.
According to the Independent, the police followed standard emergency protocols. A large number of armed officers reportedly cordoned off the immediate area and the warned the public to stay away. They were searching the area for the “sniper” and the residents were held behind roadblocks.
As the same source writes, one of the officers entered a local pub in order to borrow a set of binoculars. A villager eventually provided him with a set of field glasses in order to help with the search. Finally, the photographer was located. As the police realized he was just taking photos, they called off the security alert. All that time, the photographer was unaware of the drama unfolding around him – because of him.
Although this event sounds like an April Fools’ news, a spokesperson of Ireland police (also known as Garda) reportedly confirmed the incident. As the independent writes, though, they were not able to disclose the details of the search. Fortunately, the whole case ended well. The Irish photographer wasn’t shot like Andy Grimm we recently mentioned, whose camera on a tripod was also mistaken for a gun.
[via the Independent]
Dunja Đuđić Kalinin
Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, concerts, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.
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11 responses to “Astrophotographer sparks armed police response after setting up a tripod on a beach in Ireland”
Luckily he wasn’t in America. The police there would have just shot him.
I was thinking the same thing
Ditto
In America anyone with “the right to bear arms” could have shot him!
are we going to have to have tripod legs that are orange now LOL
Not much good in the dark
lol, reflective tape also lol
PHOTOGRAPHY IS NOT A CRIME! STOP THIS PERSECUTION!
In the US and near my home, a photographer in this situation was shot (reference https://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-carlisle-ohio-news-photographer-deputy-camera-weapon/). The photographer and officer knew each other and in the following video, you can hear them address each other in the seconds following the shooting.
If you want to see how fast one can have a bad day, watch the video at (http://fox45now.com/news/local/watch-body-camera-footage-released-of-deputy-shooting-new-carlisle-news-editor).
Recent news reports show the photographer is healing from his wounds and the officer was recently exhonerated by his department.
Being Irish, I’ve a tremendous amount of respect for the Gardai. They’re very very good at deescelating situations and not, you know, shooting people cause they’re holding a camera.
Gir on beach: Excuse me are you a photographer?
Photographer: Yes, that’s right.
Girl on beach: Can you take my picture please?
Photographer: Sorry, I don’t shoot wildlife.
Girl: *calls 999* Yes I’d like to report a sniper please…