An Irish teenager has been charged with threatening to shoot and kill the president of Guyana.

The threat was made during what his lawyer said was an "alcohol-fuelled conversation with two of the leader’s bodyguards." 

17 year old Cillian James Crossan, a  volunteer with an aid group, British Project Trust, was joking when he said he would shoot and kill president Donald Ramotar.

He said it because he didn't believe the two men were really bodyguards.  The teenager had been drinking beer and rum since early that morning.  Mr Crossan pleaded not guilty to the charge before a local magistrate and was released despite objections from the prosecution.

The offence is classed as a minor crime and the teenager faces a maximum sentence of a fine.