30/09/2008

Man Overpowered After Self Harm Threat

Gardaí have intervened and overpowered powered a man after he threatened to harm himself.

The incident happened at 3.30pm on Monday when Gardai at Swords, Co Dublin became aware of an ongoing incident at the Swords Business Park.

A rescue operation was immediately launched after a man had threatened self harm. The rescue included various sections of Garda including a negotiating team and members of the Emergency Response Unit.

At 9.00pm that evening the incident eventually concluded when Gardaí overpowered the man. During the course of the rescue attempt, the man inflicted a stab injury to himself and was later taken to hospital where he is being treated for his injuries, which are not thought to be life threatening.

The stand-off with police lasted for more than five-and-a-half hours during which time he stabbed himself in the neck as he was being overpowered by officers last night.

The man, who claimed he was armed, had locked himself into a van in the Co Dublin business park and strongly resisted the efforts of specialist negotiators to get him to surrender quietly.

The event led to high drama as, after the man threatened to harm himself, members of the Emergency Response Unit threw a stun grenade and then rushed the van.

The man was overpowered, and was rushed by ambulance to Beaumont Hospital with neck wounds.

The man had earlier attempted to make contact with an official from a company in the business park.

He seemed to be in dispute with the company over the sale of a business, and was reputed to be looking for a further payment of around €100,000.

Staff in several companies in the area were unable to leave on the instructions of the gardai while the stand-off persisted.

No other person was injured during the incident, and an investigation has been launched.

(DW)

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