Caught in a weapons attack: the public safety steps

Escape if there is a safe route. If there is not, hide. When it is safe, ring 112 or 999 and ask for the Gardaí. While hiding, silence your phone and turn off vibrate.[1][2] If you cannot speak, you can text 112.[8][5]

Where this advice comes from

We did not find an Irish public guide for this. In October 2026 we searched An Garda Síochána, gov.ie and the Office of Emergency Planning pages we could access. That search does not establish that no Irish guidance exists. The Government’s National Risk Assessment lists a terror attack as one of 22 national risks, but the public page gives no instructions for it.[7]

So the escape and hiding steps below are the UK’s “Run Hide Tell” guidance, issued by UK Counter Terrorism Policing and marked (UK) in the sources. We use it because it is the official public guidance nearest to Ireland, not because it has been adopted here. Everything about calling for help uses Irish numbers and Irish sources.

These events are rare. This page is meant to be read once, calmly, and remembered.

The scene this guide is for

You are in a shopping centre or a station when people start running and someone shouts. You can see an exit, but you do not know whether the way to it is safe. Your bag is at your feet and your phone is in your hand.

The first decision is the only one that matters: can you reach safety without putting yourself in greater danger?[1]

What the guidance covers

UK Counter Terrorism Policing says Run Hide Tell is specific advice for firearms and weapons attacks only.[6] It is personal safety advice. It does not ask you to investigate a noise, identify anyone or work out why it is happening.

It is also not a plan for a building. Businesses and venues have separate guidance for staff.[12] If you manage premises, use that, not this page.

You do not need to know what kind of incident it is before calling for help. The Gardaí say an emergency includes any danger to life, risk of serious injury, or a crime in progress.[2]

1. Run, if there is a safe way out

The UK guidance says:[1][3]

1. Consider your safest options. Escape if you can.
2. Ask yourself: is there a safe route? Can you get there without exposing yourself to greater danger? If yes, go. If not, hide.
3. Insist others leave with you, but do not let their hesitation slow you down.
4. Leave belongings behind.
5. Do not stop to film.

Seeing an exit is not the same as having a safe route to it. UK police say getting to a place of safety is a far better option than surrendering or negotiating.[6]

2. Hide, if you cannot escape safely

If you cannot run, hide. The guidance draws a clear line between being out of sight and being protected:[1][3]

1. Find cover that can stop a threat, such as solid brick or heavy reinforced walls. If you can see the attacker, they may be able to see you.
2. Being out of view does not make you safe. Bullets can pass through glass, brick, wood and metal. You must still hide even behind a locked door.
3. Lock and barricade the door, then move away from it.
4. Be quiet. Silence your phone and turn off vibrate.
5. Know where the exits are and try not to get trapped.

The purpose is to reduce your exposure until you can move somewhere safer or help arrives. Nothing in the guidance asks you to confront anyone.[1]

3. Tell the Gardaí, when it is safe

In Ireland, ring 112 or 999 and ask for the Gardaí. Both numbers reach the same Emergency Call Answering Service, which connects you to the service you ask for.[11] The Gardaí ask you to “stay calm, stay focused and stay on the line”, and to say clearly which service you need.[2]

If you hear a recorded message that operators are busy, do not hang up: redialling puts you at the back of the queue.[11]

The UK guidance lists what police need to know. Give what you have, in any order the call taker asks:[1]

1. What is happening.
2. Where: an address or general location. An Eircode or landmark helps.[11]
3. Where you last saw the attacker, and which way they went.
4. What you saw: how many, what they looked like, clothing, weapons.
5. Anything else: injuries, entrances and exits, people trapped.

These are headings, not a reason to leave safety to find out more. Wait for the call taker’s instructions and do not hang up until told.[11]

If speaking would give you away

The UK guidance says that if you cannot speak or make a noise, listen to the call taker’s instructions.[1]

Ireland also has an emergency text service. Send a text to 112 from any Irish mobile. It is for anyone who cannot make a voice call, including situations where a call is not possible.[8][9] The HSE says the same.[5]

A text to 112 should say, in plain words:[10]

1. Which service: Garda.
2. What is happening.
3. Which county.
4. Where: town, road, building, Eircode or landmark.

Most smartphones send their location automatically when you text 112, but the service says not to rely on it: always write your location in the message.[9] Do not assume it was received until you get a reply. A “delivered” report is not a reply.[10] Texting is slower than a call, so call if you safely can.[8]

Do one thing now: read 112.ie’s text guidance once, so you know it exists. It does not work from a foreign phone, or from an Irish phone while roaming, including in Northern Ireland.[9][13]

When armed police reach you

The UK guidance says:[3][4]

• Follow the officers’ instructions.
• Stay calm and avoid sudden movements.
• Keep your hands in view.

Officers may point weapons at you, treat you firmly and question you, because at first they may not be able to tell you from an attacker. They will move you to safety when it is safe to do so.[3][4] This describes the UK guidance, not a promise about what a particular Garda team will do.

Other people, and first aid

Stop other people entering the building only if it is safe to do so.[1] Warning someone must never take you back towards danger.

The UK guidance puts first aid after you are somewhere safe.[3][4] In Ireland, for anyone seriously injured, ring 112 or 999 and ask for an ambulance. Tell the call taker about the continuing danger as well as the injury.[5]

The HSE says:[5]

• The call taker may give you instructions to help the injured person. Listen carefully.
• Their questions do not delay the ambulance once they have your location.
• Ring back if the person gets worse or your location changes.
• If you know them, pass on their medicines, allergies or GP when asked. Never go back into danger to find these.

First aid training before you need it is the single most useful preparation. See Skills worth learning before you need them.

Afterwards

If you saw something relevant but there is no emergency now, contact your local Garda station, or the Garda Confidential line, 1800 666 111.[2] An attack that is still happening belongs on 112 or 999.

For wider household planning, read Conflict and wider crises: practical preparation in Ireland.

The three things to remember

1. Safe route? Go. Leave your bag.[1]
2. No safe route? Hide behind something solid, door locked, phone silent and on no vibrate.[1]
3. When safe: 112 or 999, ask for the Gardaí. Cannot speak? Text 112 with service, what, county and where.[2][10]