Barricade incident in Letterkenny 'resolved peacefully.'

Gardaí confirmed that at approximately 5.45pm on February, 19 Gardaí at Letterkenny responded to a domestic incident at a private dwelling.

A teenage male had barricaded himself into the house and it was confirmed that he had access to firearms and ammunition.

No other person was in the dwelling.

Following assessment of available information, the incident was declared a barricade incident by Chief Superintendent, Terry McGinn, Donegal Division at 22.00 hours on February 19.

An Garda Síochána protocols for a barricade incident were implemented.

At approximately 00.30am on 22 February, the barricade incident was resolved peacefully following a tactical intervention by the Garda Emergency Response Unit. No persons were injured during this operation and a shotgun and ammunition has been safely secured at the scene.

The male teenager has been arrested and is currently detained under section 4 Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Garda Station in Co. Donegal, where he is receiving medical assessment.

During the course of this 54 hour protracted barricade incident uniform and plain clothes resources and specialist Garda Crisis Negotiators from Donegal division, were supported by Regional Armed Support Units from the North Western Region and specialist Units from An Garda Síochána Special Tactics and Operations Command (STOC) including Emergency Response Unit (ERU), National Negotiator Unit (NNU) and resources from Garda Headquarters.

All units worked closely under Garda Strategic and Operational Commanders with the strategic intention to ‘contain the incident, preserving life and bring the incident to a peaceful conclusion’.

An Garda Síochána was supported by Consultant Psychiatrists, Central Mental Hospital, Dundrum and staff from TUSLA Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and worked closely with the immediate family and wider community in the area. An Garda Síochána continues to work closely with the parents and family of the male teenager.

A media blackout was in place during the incident.