Man arrested after stand off at service station in the Midlands

A man has been detained at Longford garda station this evening following a stand off at a service station on the outskirts of the county town.

The Longford Leader is reporting that the alarm was raised after a man, understood to be from eastern Europe, entered Longford's Texaco Service Station on Longford's main Dublin Road at around 4pm.

It's believed parts of the man's body and clothing were covered in blood as he began shouting to staff and customers who were inside.

Several units of gardaí, including both armed and uniformed arrived on the scene within minutes and quickly cordoned off the area.

A silver car remained stationary in the forecourt of the service station for almost an hour as armed officers entered and declared the scene safe.

The man is currently in custody at Longford garda station.