Updated at 8.38pm
A MAN HAS been arrested after barricading himself into his parents house in Sligo with a shotgun in the early hours of this morning.
Gardaí were called to the scene just after midnight after receiving a report of suspicious activity at the house on the Strandhill Road.
On arrival, local gardaí noticed damage to a patio door and saw a man in his 30s in the house with a firearm. He fired at the officers who retreated to their patrol car and called for backup.
A source told TheJournal.ie that the house belongs to the man’s parents, who were away at the Leopardstown Races.
Armed units arrived at the scene and the man later discharged further shots, with gardaí returning fire and also using “less lethal” rounds.
(Image: Sarah Townsend/Twitter)
It is understood the man shot at an unmarked garda car outside the house but no one was injured, though there was some damage to the car.
Gardaí said a critical incident was established and an on scene commander was designated in accordance with barricade incident protocols. Two cordons were put in place around the house in question and neighbours were moved out of the area.
The scene was then attended by armed units from the Emergency Response Units, trained hostage negotiators and local units.
At 1.30pm today, the man exited the house and was arrested. His shotgun was recovered and he is now being detained at Sligo Garda Station.
Gardaí said the area is still sealed off to facilitate a technical and ballistic examination.
A media blackout was observed while the incident was ongoing today, at the request of gardaí.
First posted at 2.40pm
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say