Roscrea returns to normal after man ends house siege

The Co Tipperary town of Roscrea is returning to normal this morning following yesterday's stand-off involving a man who apparently threatened to blow up his house.

The incident began on Wednesday afternoon when the man in his 50s barricaded himself into the house with a number of gas cylinders.

Roscrea town centre was evacuated and the bomb squad was called amid fears that he may have assembled a home-made bomb.

Gardaí had been in telephone contact with the man throughout yesterday and he eventually agreed to leave the house at around 6.30pm.

In a statement issued through his solicitor, he claimed he was sexually abused while training as a Christian Brother and was protesting at the delay in civil proceedings which he instigated to seek compensation.

Superintendent Kevin Donoghue praised local residents and businesses for their patience during the stand-off.