Firefighters rescue suicidal man in Limerick

A man who threatened to jump from the top of a city centre shopping centre in Limerick has been brought to safety by members of the local fire service.

Emergency services were alerted at lunchtime today when a man was spotted on the roof of Arthur's Quay Shopping Centre in the heart of Limerick city.

The area from Patrick Street to Ellen Street was closed to traffic for just under an hour while the Limerick Fire Service made their dramatic rescue.

Firefighters spoke to the man from the top of a Bronto Sky lift while his brother tried to comfort him on the roof of the five-storey building.

The man, who is in his early 20s, stood on top of the busy five-storey shopping centre for just under an hour threatening to jump from the edge of the roof.

Firefighters secured a harness and a safety chain around him as his brother tried to talk him down.

It is understood two people who were in the car park on top of the shopping centre at the time also played a key role in the rescue.

Gardaí also contacted the man's mother in a bid to talk him down.

The man was finally brought to safety at 2.15pm by members of the emergency services who walked him to safety through the shopping centre.

He was later brought by ambulance to the Mid Western Regional Hospital.