Two Gardaí are being treated in hospital after they were shot during a stand-off in a housing estate in Dublin yesterday.
A man was arrested following the incident at Whitechapel Grove in Blanchardstown.
The Gardaí were both shot in the foot and one was also shot in the hand after calling to a house in the area.
Gardaí said they arrived at the house shortly after 7pm following reports of gunshots in the area.
The suspect is believed to have barricaded himself inside the property and the Gardaí were fired upon from an upstairs window.
A media blackout was declared while Gardaí dealt with the ‘siege situation’ and a major cordon was placed around the street.
A large number of armed Gardaí and uniformed officers were called in as local residents watched the incident unfold.
A number of houses in the area were evacuated.
Siege situation
Gardaí said armed plainclothes officers took cover behind a patrol car as shots were fired and the car was struck a number of times.
Footage on social media shows the two injured Gardai being carried from the scene.
After “intensive negotiations,” two guns – a handgun and an automatic pistol – were surrendered from the house.
A short time later a man in his 30s was arrested. He was taken to Blanchardstown Garda Station where he can be held for up to three days.
He is well-known to gardaí for alleged involvement in serious crime.
The injured Gardaí are being treated Connolly Memorial Hospital for what have been described as non-life-threatening injuries.
"Unacceptable and disgraceful"
Local TD Paul Donnelly paid tribute to the Gardaí after the “totally unacceptable and disgraceful” attack.
“I live in the community,” he said.
“I live in the Mountview area where this happened. It is a peaceful area, it is a nice area, it is a lovely place to live.
“There are some difficulties like every community, but I have lived here for 25 years and, in general, it is a quiet area where people just want to get on with their lives.”
Bravery
In a statement, the Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was “shocked and deeply concerned” at the incident.
“I wish both Gardaí a swift and full recovery, and I thank them for their service on behalf of the public,” he said.
“This incident in Dublin shows yet again the danger An Garda Síochána often face in their efforts to protect and serve the people.
“We should always be very grateful for all the work they do on a daily basis on our behalf.”
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris delivering an update on the COVID-19 lockdown, 28-03-2020. Image: Sam Boal/RollingNewsThe Garda Commissioner Drew Harris commended all the Gardaí involved in the incident.
“In particular, the bravery of the two detectives who were first on scene,” he said.
“This was another in a long line of examples of Gardaí putting themselves on the line to keep people safe. I want to wish them a speedy recovery.”
Gardaí are appealing to anyone with any information about the incident to contact Blanchardstown Garda Station.
