Man arrested after major security incident at Dublin court
A man has been arrested during a major security incident at a family court building in Dublin.
Gardai evacuated the Phoenix House complex in the Smithfield area of the city after receiving reports that a man armed with a gun and bomb had entered the premises.
Bomb disposal experts are currently examining a suspect device inside the building while gardai have seized a suspected imitation firearm.
The arrested man has been taken to the city’s Bridewell Garda station.
The Irish Army’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team has been deployed to the scene.
The incident has caused travel disruption in the city, forcing the closure of a Luas tram stop outside the building.
Passengers due to an on going situation in the Family courts. the Gardai have directed all Luas services to be suspended in the area. Please see https://t.co/GkL4FmFo1J for information
— Luas (@Luas) December 20, 2018
Crowds of office workers and barristers dressed in court attire were gathered at the security cordon as the operation continued on Thursday lunchtime.
The area is also popular with tourists, as it is close to the famous Jameson whiskey distillery and a number of hotels and youth hostels.
Dozens of gardai officers remained at the scene, enforcing a wide reaching cordon.
