The Dublin suburb of Blanchardstown was gripped by a dramatic shooting yesterday evening.
Two gardai were rushed to hospital after being shot during the tense stand-off.
A pair of detectives were blasted in the attack – one in the foot and the other in the hand – and had to be rescued by armed members of the force.
It’s believed the shooter fired an automatic weapon at gardai who had arrived in the area to inform a man that his life was under serious threat by criminals.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin was among those to say that he was "deeply concerned" by the shocking events as he praised Gardai for their work in bringing the situation under control.
Here is a full timeline of last night's dramatic events:
7pm - gardai called after gunshots heard
Shortly after 7pm gardai responded to the scene after a number of gunshots were heard in the vicinity of Whitechapel Grove in Blanchardstown.
A garda spokeswoman said: "Plain clothes and uniform Gardaí supported by Armed Support Units responded to the scene.
"An armed plain-clothes unit at the scene came under fire. The Garda members took cover behind a patrol car and an exchange of firearms occurred between the male and the armed detectives. The patrol car was struck a number of times by bullets.
"Both male detective Gardaí, 30’s, received gunshot wounds to the foot and one also received a hand wound.
"Responding Garda Units sealed off the area around the house in Whitechapel Grove. Both inner cordons of Armed Support Unit personnel and an outer cordon of uniform and plain clothes Gardaí was established.
"A number of houses in the area were evacuated for the safety of the occupants.
"An Garda Síochána put in place a Critical Fireman’s Incident response, an Operational Commander was appointed; supported by resources from National Negotiators Unit, Emergency Response Unit and Armed Support Units."
9pm - barricade put in place
An extended barricade was put in place and following intensive negotiations, shortly after 9.30pm two firearms, an automatic pistol and a handgun, were surrendered from the house.
10pm - man brought into custody
And shortly before 10pm it’s believed gardai took a man into custody.
A garda spokeswoman added: "Both injured Garda detectives are currently receiving medical treatment at Connolly Memorial Hospital for non-life threatening gunshot wounds.
"Gardaí at Blanchardstown continue to investigate all the circumstances of this critical firearms incident.
"As the incident involved the discharge of official Garda firearms the incident has also been referred to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission."
