Blanchardstown Shopping Centre to reopen today after security scare

Blanchardstown Shopping Centre is expected to open as normal today after an armed Garda response team shut down the popular shopping destination yesterday evening.

The shopping centre was evacuated following a report that a missing person had been sighted.

Rumours circulated via eyewitness accounts on social media that a youth with a firearm was in the building.

Gardai are attending an ongoing incident in Blanchardstown Shopping Centre in Dublin west

— Meiread Ashe (@Suzieashe1) November 1, 2017

Police conducted a thorough search of the premises after evacuating shoppers, but found no one.

It is alleged that the missing person sighted could be Jack Dinan.

In a previous statement, Gardai said:

'Jack is believed to be armed and the public are asked not to approach him, but should contact Gardaí at Ennis Garda Station on 065 6848100 or the emergency numbers 999 or 112.'

At the scene of a security alert at Blanchardstown Centre. Centre is being evacuated. pic.twitter.com/jtOGf28jt7

— Paul Hosford (@PTHosford) November 1, 2017

The 19-year-old is described as being 6ft tall of slim build with black hair.

The incident was marked by an overwhelming Twitter reaction, as many people gave their opinions on the incident, and speculation spread on the site about what was happening in the centre.

#Blanchardstown preliminary reports suggesting the assailant is in fact a giant lizard.

— ArmyOfOne (@EXTREMEDrizzle) November 1, 2017