Taser used as man arrested after threatening gardaí with machete in Kerry

The man threatened a number of gardaí with a machete before fleeing the scene into nearby forestry.

A man in his 30s has been arrested after threatening gardaí with a machete and breaking into a property in Co Kerry on Monday evening.

Listowel Gardaí received a report of a burglary and criminal damage incident at approximately 7.45pm on Monday at a residence in Rylane, Abbeyfeale, Co Kerry.

Upon arrival at the scene, gardaí encountered the male armed with a machete, who refused to comply with their directions. 

He threatened a number of gardaí with the machete before fleeing the scene into nearby forestry.

A number of units were called to the scene to assist with the incident, including the Armed Support Unit, the Air Support Unit, and the Dog Unit.

A cordon was put in place and an extensive search of the area was conducted. The man was located a short time later and continued to act in a threatening manner towards gardaí. 

The Armed Support Unit intervened and used less-than-lethal force devices, including the use of a taser, to detain the man.

He is currently detained under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Garda station in Co Kerry.

"A number of scenes are currently preserved for technical examination and investigations into these incidents are ongoing," a Garda spokesperson said.

"The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc) have been notified of this incident,"