The beanbag rounds used by gardaí in Gort last night, but which failed to subdue the armed man, are designed to cause minimum trauma and no penetration but briefly render the target prone and immobile.
However, beanbag rounds have caused around a death a year since they were introduced in the US in 1970.
Typically fired from a shotgun, the round comprises a strong nylon fabric bag filled with lead shot. When fired, the bag spreads out in flight and distributes its impact over the target. It is unsafe to use from less than three metres and inaccurate over about six metres.
