A Leitrim GAA player who was arrested at JFK airport in New York for making a false report about a bomb in his luggage was extremely remorseful, his solicitor said last night.
Mr Ciarán Murray (27) was returning from New York with the Leitrim senior Gaelic team on Monday when the incident occurred.
According to Mr Murray's solicitor, one piece of luggage fell to the ground as it was being handed over for security clearance, and "in a foolish attempt at humour, Ciarán referred to there being a bomb in the bag that fell".
The security officer called the police, who arrested him for making a false report despite all of Mr Murray's luggage being searched and cleared and an apology made to the officer in question and to the police.
He was detained in New York, and returned to Ireland on Wednesday. He will return to New York "in due course to have his case concluded", according to his solicitor.
In a statement issued last night, Mr Murray was said to "understand fully how wrong and downright silly this off-the-cuff remark was, having regard to what is happening in the world today".
Mr Murray was said to be "extremely remorseful" to all concerned, including the staff at JFK, Leitrim GAA, and all of his friends and family who have been embarrassed and hurt by "this unfortunate incident".