Two gardaí shot during siege in west Dublin housing estate
Armed gardaí at the scene of a shooting and siege in Blanchardstown where two officers were wounded in a standoff. Picture: Leon Farrell/RollingNews.ie
Two gardaí have been shot at an incident in Whitechapel Grove, Clonsilla, Dublin.
Gardai were called to the Blanchardstown area on Tuesday evening at around 7pm and came under fire.
Gardaí were seen crouching behind vehicles and lying on the ground for protection as a male is believed to have shot out the window of the house with a firearm.
The shooting took place approximately 50 yards from Mount View FC, where children are believed to have been in training at the time.
In a statement, gardaí confirmed a man had been arrested and two members of the force were taken to hospital.
"One male is currently in custody in Blanchardstown Garda station. Two Garda members are currently being treated at Connolly Memorial Hospital for non-life-threatening gunshot wounds," the garda statement said.
Gardaí were alerted to an incident in Whitechapel Grove shortly after 7pm. Plainclothes and uniform Gardaí responded, supported by armed support units.
After arriving at the scene, an armed plain-clothes unit at the scene came under fire. The Garda members took cover behind a patrol car and an exchange of firearms occurred between the male and the armed detectives. The patrol car was struck a number of times by bullets.
Both male detective Gardaí, 30’s, received gunshot wounds to the foot and one also received a hand-wound.
Gardaí established a cordon and evacuated a number of houses in the area.
After a period of negotiation between gardaí and a man in the house, two firearms, an automatic pistol and a handgun, were surrendered.
A short time later a male, in his late 30s was arrested at the scene and is currently detained at Blanchardstown Garda Station under section 30 Offences Against the State Act 1939.
Gardaí at Blanchardstown continue to investigate all the circumstances of this critical firearms incident.
As the incident involved the discharge of official Garda firearms the incident has also been referred to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission.
Speaking following the incident, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, commended all those involved in securing a "successful outcome", particularly the two detectives who were first on the scene.
"This was another in a long line of examples of Gardaí putting themselves on the line to keep people safe. I want to wish them a speedy recovery."
The Taoiseach said he was shocked to learn of the injuries suffered by the two Garda members.
The incident highlights the danger faced by Gardaí while carrying out their duty every day, Micheál Martin said.
"We should always be very grateful for all the work they do on a daily basis on our behalf."
The Justice Minister has called for any video footage of the incident to be sent to Gardaí and asked anyone with information to contact Blanchardstown Garda Station.
Heather Humphreys said that she has been in contact with the Garda Commissioner echoed his wishes for a speedy recovery for the injured officers.
Videos circulating on social media showed a huge garda presence at the housing estate in the Blanchardstown area.
Local residents were warned to stay in their homes.
One video showed gardaí crouching and lying on the ground behind vehicles for protection.
In another video, an injured man is shown being carried to safety by gardaí as one armed response guard walks behind with his gun, protecting their backs.
Two injured men, one with a bandaged foot, were seen being helped quickly into ambulances by multiple gardaí in another video, shot from inside a house.
Armed response unit gardaí were filmed guarding pathways outside houses on the estate as a helicopter circled above.
It is understood that elderly residents live near the house where the alleged shooting took place.
A media blackout had been put in place as they incident unfolded but was lifted shortly after 10pm.
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