A man has been arrested following a major alert by gardaí in Co Wicklow.
The alarm was sparked after the man took his three children - aged 12, nine and seven - from their school in Ashford this morning.
It is understood he brought them to school as normal but then returned an hour later to take them out again.
A confrontation ensued with teachers, who had not been informed.
The man, who is in his late 30s, drove the children away in his own car.
Gardaí, who were concerned over the man's mental state, later issued an appeal for help in tracing another car - a blue Nissan Almera - which was last seen at the Woodview Estate, Ashford at 10.30am
The Almera was spotted in Rathnew shortly before 12pm and a short chase ensued.
The man eventually crashed into a roundabout nearby. None of the children were injured.
The man was arrested at the scene and is being held at Wicklow Garda station.
He is being psychiatrically assessed.