Ireland Man arrested after five-hour rampage with hatchet in Sligo
In the early hours of 1 May 2024 in Sligo, a man in his 30s began an incident lasting about five hours, in which he smashed the windows of a garda jeep, damaged a van and a house, pulled slates off the roof, and smashed two garda vehicles with a hatchet. He barricaded himself in the house, a person known to him was inside, and no injuries were reported. The Armed Support Unit, which travelled from Donegal, was called after distraction devices and pepper spray failed. Gardaí arrested him for criminal damage offences and detained him under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda Station in Co. Sligo, which is the latest reported development as of the 2 May 2024 article.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrested2 May
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- The suspect smashed the windows of a garda jeep and damaged a van.
- The suspect damaged the windows of a house and pulled slates off its roof.
- The suspect barricaded himself in the house.
- Where
- The incident took place in Sligo.
- When
- The incident began in the early hours of 1 May 2024 and lasted about five hours.
- Cause
- The suspect was described as having 'lost the plot'.
- Weapon
- The suspect smashed two garda vehicles with a hatchet.
- Investigation
- The Armed Support Unit travelled from Donegal, and distraction devices and pepper spray did not work.
- Gardaí requested a media blackout during the incident.
- Charges
- A man in his 30s was arrested for criminal damage offences and detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda Station in Co. Sligo.
- Other details
- A person known to the suspect was in the property at the time, and concerns were raised for their safety.
- The Irish Mirror reported that the suspect was previously convicted over threats to kill a garda.
- No injuries had been reported at the time.
13 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe suspect smashed the windows of a garda jeep and damaged a van. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe suspect damaged the windows of a house and pulled slates off the roof. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe suspect barricaded himself in the house. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe incident took place in Sligo. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe incident began in the early hours of the day before the article was published. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeThe suspect was described as having 'lost the plot'. (irishmirror.ie)
- weaponThe suspect smashed up two garda vehicles with a hatchet. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe Armed Support Unit travelled from Donegal, and distraction devices and pepper spray did not work. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí requested a media blackout during the incident. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeA man in his 30s was arrested for criminal damage offences and detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda Station in Co. Sligo. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherA person known to the suspect was in the property at the time, and concerns were raised for their safety. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe suspect was previously convicted over threats to kill a garda, according to the Irish Mirror. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherNo injuries had been reported at the time. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 2 May2024Armed gardai called after man 'lost the plot' and went on scary 5-hour rampage
First report of the Sligo incident. The article states the incident began 'yesterday morning' relative to its 2 May 2024 publication, so the date is given as 1 May 2024. It adds the weapon, the damage to garda vehicles and the house, the armed unit response, the media blackout, and that the suspect has a previous conviction for threats to kill a garda.
suspect, 30s, male