Passengers on the Luas were left stunned when a man produced a belt of machine gun bullets and proceeded to wear them around his neck.

The man travelled on the tram on Monday night, getting on at the Jervis Street shop before taking out the belt, known as a bandolier.

Jackie Roche, who contacted RTÉ Radio One’s Liveline with a picture of the man, said she didn’t believe the man was armed but was still shocked to watch events unfold.

The man appeared under the influence and nodded off during the short journey, she said.

Expand Close The picture taken by a Luas passenger. Picture courtesy of RTE Liveline / Facebook

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Whatsapp The picture taken by a Luas passenger. Picture courtesy of RTE Liveline

She explained that the man sat down and produced the bullets from a brown metal box inside a backpack.

In the picture the man, who is bent over in his seat, has the bandolier around his neck.

Several rounds of the large gold coloured ammunition can be clearly seen in the image.

"Some were empty, as if they had been shot and some were full," said Ms Roche.

Asked how did she know he wasn't a military historian or enthusiast, Jackie admitted that she couldn't say that.

However she added: "I can tell you he wasn't 100pc there last night. I don't if he was drunk but he was nodding off and falling asleep."

Ms Roche said she believed the driver may have seen it because the Luas was stopped at St James's Hospital for some time and there were gardaí in the area. However the man had gotten off earlier at Heuston Station.

The man had asked Ms Roche for change earlier in the journey mentioned he was travelling to Newbridge.

"It was really, unusual. I was kind of in shock when I got off the tram, I couldn't believe this happened," she said.

The man exited the tram at Heuston station, having previously told Ms Roche he was going to Naas.

A garda spokesperson confirmed that a male was arrested on Monday "for being in possession of suspected ammunition at Heuston Station at approx 11pm".

The spokesperson continued: "He was brought to Kilmainham Garda station where it was established that they were spent cartridges."

The man was released without charge.

Independent.ie has contacted Transdev, which operates Luas, for a comment on the incident.

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