Staunton unharmed after gun scare
Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton is recovering after a man with an imitation gun confronted him at the team's hotel near Dublin.
The man allegedly threatened to kill him. Staunton, 37, fled and alerted staff at about 2000 BST on Monday.
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) said: \"Steve is absolutely fine and looking forward to training.\"
A 31-year-old man was later arrested on a beach beside Portmarnock Hotel, where the team were preparing for a match.
Staunton was in the car park talking on his phone when he was approached by a man, who began shouting at him and produced the weapon, believed to be a plastic imitation Uzi sub-machine gun.
He ran back into the hotel and the man was pursued by FAI security staff.
Weapon search
A man was arrested by Irish police and is being questioned at Malahide Garda Station in Dublin.
Irish police guarded team members at the hotel after the incident
A spokesperson for the Gardai said: \"We have one man in custody in relation to an incident that happened in Portmarnock shortly before 2000 BST.
\"He was arrested in the vicinity under section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.
\"Gardai are continuing to search the area for the weapon.\"
Staunton is expected to hold a news conference later on Tuesday.
Second incident
It is the second time an armed incident has occurred at the Portmarnock Hotel while the Irish team were in residence.
Almost three years ago an armed raider fired a shotgun into the ceiling of the hotel as players enjoyed an evening meal.
Two armed and masked men had entered the lobby of the hotel on November 17, 2003, and stole about £690. No-one was injured in the incident.
The Republic of Ireland's friendly match against Holland at Lansdowne Road on Wednesday will be former Liverpool and Irish Republic defender Staunton's third match in charge of the national team.
Staunton stunned by heavy defeat
Republic of Ireland boss Steve Staunton admitted he was disheartened by the 4-0 friendly defeat at home to Holland.
\"We never got near them in the first half and they did to us what we were hoping to do to them,\" said Staunton.
\"We made some unforced errors and the Dutch played very well and gave us a lesson in finishing.
\"We had a few lads out and picked up a couple of injuries in the first half, but hopefully we will have them fit for the first qualifier against Germany.\"
