Man arrested following terrifying crime spree

Locals were shocked after a man armed with a machine gun went on a terrifying seven-hour crime spree across Tallaght and Clondalkin on Monday morning.
Joseph Rafferty allegedly went on a rampage in which he hijacked several cars while armed with a 9mm eight-gauge machine gun following a domestic dispute in the Brookview area of Tallaght on Monday morning.
The 37-year-old man was eventually apprehended by gardai at Citywest Shopping Centre that afternoon following a massive manhunt across West Dublin.
Locals reported having to lock the doors of their workplaces during the manhunt out of fear for their safety.
Schools in the area also contacted parents to say they would not let children walk home on their own due to the seriousness of the incident.
Local Senator Lynn Ruane tweeted a picture of a message she received from her children’s school requesting that parents pick their children up.
“Scary morning in Tallaght,” she wrote.
“Hope all the parents can get to the school. You never expect to get a text like this from school.”
One Twitter user whose daughter works in the shopping centre replied to Senator Ruane to confirm that the man had been arrested. “They caught him Lynne,” she wrote.
“My eldest works in Citywest and he ran past her with machine gun, several collapsed with shock, well done to guards.”
Local TD John Lahart also commended the gardai for their efforts in apprehending the suspect.
“Today’s events have been frightening for all those living in and around Dublin West, and particularly for residents in Tallaght,” he said.
“While the exact detail of each incident unfolds as gardai begin their investigation, I commend the work of each the members of An Garda Siochana that were involved in today’s successful operation.
“I am relieved that there was no loss of life or major injury and that the armed suspect involved is now in Garda custody.”
Gardai appealed for witnesses after confirming the arrest.
A garda spokesperson said: “Gardai investigating a number of incidents in the Tallaght area this morning have arrested a male in his 30s.
“The male was arrested this afternoon in the Citywest area and is currently detained under the provisions of Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939 at Tallaght Garda Station.
“A firearm (pending technical examination) has also been recovered by gardai. Gardai wish to appeal for witnesses to contact Tallaght Garda Station on 01 6666000, The Garda Confidential Telephone Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.”