Six-hour siege by knife-wielding asylum seeker ends peacefully
The knife-wielding man, in his late 40s, had locked himself into his bedroom just after breakfast at the asylum seekers’ complex in Hatch Hall on Hatch Street.
Staff were concerned for his and other residents’ safety. The asylum seeker had threatened to harm himself.
Gardaí, an ambulance and a fire crew arrived at the scene about midday, not long after the situation escalated. A negotiator and interpreter later arrived at the complex, which houses more than 90 adults and children.
Sources confirmed the man’s name was Magomed. His surname was given locally as Basayev.
It is understood he was frustrated over a delay in his application for asylum being decided and had wanted to travel abroad to see his children.
It is believed he was the father of 11 children but five died with his wife in Chechnya and his six surviving children live in eastern Europe.
Fellow asylum seekers said he had expected his case would be decided by August 5, allowing him to visit his children.
When the case remained undecided, the Chechen man refused to eat in the dining area with other residents and staff brought his meals up to his room.
Other residents said he had become depressed recently and was very quiet at times, rarely coming out of his room.
Gardaí, wearing protective stab vests, were seen coming and going from the multi-storey red-brick complex yesterday.
An unmarked van also brought specially clothed officers, believed to be a public order unit, inside the complex.
At about 6.30pm yesterday the standoff ended.
The man was arrested and brought to Pearse Street Garda Station.
The Department of Justice last night said it was aware of yesterday’s incident but refused to comment further.
The Garda Press Office confirmed the asylum seeker had been arrested under the Mental Treatment Act.
“No one was injured or hurt,” said a Garda spokesman.
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