Tralee stand-off reaches peaceful conclusion

A four hour barricade has come to an end in Tralee, County Kerry.

Update at 8pm: A four hour barricade has come to an end in Tralee, Co Kerry.

The woman who had barricaded herself into a shop in the town centre was taken unharmed from the scene at 8pm.

The woman, who was carrying several knives, entered the Halal shop at Lower Castle Street in the town centre at 4pm this afternoon.

Gardaí were called to the scene and staff were evacuated.

During the four-hour barricade, there were no other people in the building aside from garda negotiators in talks with the woman.

Members of the Garda Emergency Response Unit which deals with barricade situations were also present along with an ambulance.

The woman who is in her early 30s is understood to be from North Cork.

Members of her family were brought to the scene to speak to the young woman.

Shortly after 8pm, she left the shop through a side entrance of an adjacent building and was then transferred to an ambulance.

Tralee castle st stand off is over. Peaceful end to situation. Woman involved, understood to be from Cork area, is now in Garda custody.

— The Kerryman (@kerryman_ie) August 7, 2015

Details at 6pm, from Anne Lucey:

Traffic has been blocked and the street secured.

It is understood the woman, who is understood to be from Cork and in her early 30s, entered the shop at around 4pm. It is not clear what exactly took place, but staff left the shop. There is now no other civilian in the shop.

Traffic has been blocked and the street secured, Supt Jim O’Connor of Tralee gardaí said.

The woman is in possession of knives but no one else is at risk, he added. Emergency services are at the scene.

A conclusion is not expected for some hours. The woman is not from Tralee and her family is being contacted. It is understood she may have health issues.

Picture of the scene via Gavin O'Connor (@gockarocka)

Speaking from the scene, Radio Kerry's Owen O'Shea said: "The street has been closed since 4pm.

"There is a heavy garda presence and a number of gardaí are negotiating with the woman to try to bring this to a conclusion.

"There is also an ambulance and a number of paramedics on the street."

Garda armed emergency response unit have just arrived to scene of stand off on Castle St Tralee.

— The Kerryman (@kerryman_ie) August 7, 2015