Man arrested over alleged threatening behaviour in Dublin

A man has been arrested by gardai investigating an alleged incident of threatening behaviour in Dublin city centre.

The man, in his 30s, was arrested for alleged offences under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act after an incident in the Parnell Square area on Tuesday.

The man is in custody at a Dublin city garda station.

Gardai said no injuries were reported and they have been carrying out regular patrols in the area, which will continue.

“Gardai are liaising with the local community and anyone impacted by the incident,” a garda spokesman said.

Taoiseach Simon Harris thanked gardai for their “swift and effective” response to the incident.

“I’m also very sure that people who are in that area, particularly children who witnessed this, would be very distressed,” he told the Dail.

“Thankfully, nobody came to physical harm, which I know we all welcome, but I understand An Garda Siochana have maintained ongoing patrols in the area, including at both opening and closing times for education facilities.

“I call on any witnesses or people with dashcam footage to come forward to gardai.”

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said children were “frightened and traumatised” by the incident.

“I wanted to say to you, Taoiseach, that people who live in the inner city of Dublin… communities are sick and tired of the ongoing anti-social behaviour, the sense of threat and dread, sick and tired of the lack of support and services,” she added.

“Sick and tired of Government hollowing out these communities, sick and tired of the fact that the garda resource is stretched beyond imagination, and absolutely incredulous at the fact that your Government claims that the city centre is safe.

“I am very sorry to tell you – and I say this as a proud Dubliner – that is not the case.

“So we need serious action and we need a proper investment of resources.

“We need statements on this and we need a concrete plan from Government once and for all.”