GUN & BOMB COURT TERROR
Crazed attacker pulls out fake firearm at family law dispute hearing
THIS is the moment a terrified woman is rushed from court after a crazed man launched a hoax gun and bomb attack.
Judge Susan Ryan was hearing a family law case in Dublin when the culprit pulled out an imitation firearm and said he had explosives.
Armed gardai arrested a man and the Army carried out an explosion on the fake bomb.
A source said: “He burst into the court room and began threatening people.”
A CRAZED man “terrorised” a judge and courtroom during a fake gun and bomb attack yesterday.
The shocking incident broke out during a family law dispute in Dublin’s city centre.
In dramatic scenes, the Armed Response Unit and bomb disposal experts were called in and a Luas track was closed for several hours.
ARU and uniformed officers escorted Judge Susan Ryan and legal teams from the court, sitting in Phoenix House, looking visibly distressed.
It is understood the case being heard in the Smithfield area related to custody arrangements for an estranged couple’s children. A source said: “There was a family law application hearing involving a man, his wife and her barrister.
“A man was waiting outside but became angry and burst into the courtroom and took an imitation gun from a briefcase and began threatening people.
“Judge Susan Ryan was sitting at the time the incident happened.
“The court clerk was able to sneak out of the court as the man was ranting.
“That member of staff alerted a uniformed garda who immediately called for armed gardai.
“In the meantime, the gunman opened his jacket and claimed to have a device.
“The Armed Support Unit arrived a few minutes later.
“They went into the building and after an immediate armed intervention, the man instantly surrendered when confronted by the heavily armed gardai. They arrested a man and he was taken to the nearby Bridewell Garda station.”
The suspect, 45, was being questioned last night over several firearm offences but officers who examined the weapon determined it was an imitation.
The Army Bomb Disposal Team was called to the scene and used its robot to examine the suspect device.
They carried out a controlled explosion at the scene and took it away for a further examination – it was later described as an elaborate hoax.
A witness said they saw a suspect being bundled out of the court by officers.
He added: “I was standing outside and saw all the commotion – the armed gardai had gone into the building. Two of the armed guards came out with a grey-haired man in handcuffs.
“He was bent over and was moved fast into a Garda van.
“The hostages were taken out as well – they looked very distressed and were crying. Gardai helped them out of the building.”
The scene overlooks Smithfield Luas stop and as the operation took place a number of trams were evacuated and lay empty on tracks nearby.
Householders and other people were forced to wait for a Garda cordon to be lifted.
Armed soldiers along with members of the ASU kept guard as the bomb disposal team launched its search operation.
The operation closed Luas services in
the area on the Red Line but traffic delays were at a minimum as many nearby roads are only for local access.
Meanwhile, it is not the first time a courtroom with a female judge has been attacked.
Judge Miriam Walsh was targeted in December 2015 during a hearing.
The incident took place in the Dolphin House family law court in Dublin’s Temple Bar district.
The judge was taken to hospital by ambulance after she was assaulted.
It is understood the accused was giving evidence during a case when he attacked the judge, kicking her in the head and punching her.
Sean Winters, from Grange Road, Baldoyle, North Co Dublin was later found not guilty by reason of insanity. The Courts Service had recommended strong security measures including X-ray machines and scanner for access to hearings.
They met senior gardai to discuss the issues last night.
The Four Courts and Criminal Courts of Justice have the facilities but the family law court and children’s court do not.
Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said security for the legal system is of paramount importance.
He added: “While thankful nobody involved was injured, I am nonetheless conscious of the impact on the judge, court personnel and all others who were in the court at the time.
“The security of the courts and the safety of all who use the
SOURCE DUBLIN COURT YESTERDAY
courts is a matter of the highest priority for me. The courts play a fundamental role in our justice system and must always be able to operate without hindrance.
“I commend the gardai for their swift actions in response to the incident that unfolded. The matter is now the subject of a Garda investigation.” A spokesman for the Courts Service said the organisation was “very concerned” by the attack.
He added: “Following a security incident in Phoenix House, gardai arrived in a very short period.
“A man was removed from the family law courts section of the building.
“All staff, members of the public, and judges left the building safety. The Courts Service is very concerned at the nature of this incident, and is thankful all our colleagues and the public remained safe.
“This incident highlights the need to constantly keep courthouse security under review – in terms of both a Garda presence and appropriate security at each court sitting.”
When family law sittings are centralised in the planned Hammond Lane Family Law complex in Dublin, airportstyle security will be in place for all those involved in legal cases.
Anyone with detail about yesterday’s incident can contact their local gardai.
Alternatively, they can call the Crimestoppers Line anonymously on 1800 250 025.
He’d been waiting but became angry and burst into the court