Man threatened to ignite himself and jump from balcony

A stand-off involving a man on a rooftop ended safely in Salthill, Galway, last night after 4½ hours.

The incident began at about 5.30pm on Tuesday when the man, aged in his
40s, took to the roof of the apartment building on Grattan Road with a fuel can and threatened to ignite the fuel or throw himself off the building if he was approached. Gardaí, several units of Galway fire brigade and the ambulance service were alerted, and the scene was cordoned off.

It is understood the man is from Co Galway and lived in the apartment building at Radharc an Chláir, Salthill.

A media blackout was requested as gardaí and trained negotiators entered the apartment building. The situation ended at 9.45pm when he approached gardaí voluntarily.

Gardaí said he was arrested under the Mental Treatment Act, taken
into custody and offered medical assistance.