A man has been arrested after bursting into the Family Courts in Smithfield, claiming to have a gun.
It’s understood the man entered the family courts with a suitcase this morning, and pulled out what he claimed was a gun.
He started shouting and moved towards one of his family members and a barrister, before opening his coat.
He claimed he had a device inside.
The area was immediately evacuated and the emergency response unit moved in.
The man was then arrested and brought to the Bridewell Garda Station for questioning.
Gardai say an imitation firearm has been seized at the scene while the Army Bomb squad is at the scene examining the suspect device.
People waiting at the nearby Luas stop were asked to move away, while trams in the area were suspended.
Luas said its Red Line was running only between Saggart/Tallaght and Blackhorse " on instruction from the Gardai".
A number of people in the area have been tweeting about their experience.
Was just outside family court in Smithfield when people started running out of building shouting about a man with a gun.
— OONAGH (@oonaghmurphy) December 20, 2018
Ok what's going on in Smithfield? Anyone? Bomb squad is here! pic.twitter.com/nruTiyUPm4
— Niamh Devereux (@_niamhdev_) December 20, 2018
Been moved away from Smithfield luas after suspected shots from the Family courts. pic.twitter.com/oQbZMi9cv8
— 🎵clo is falling🎵 (@GreenIssac) December 20, 2018
More to follow...
