The Garda Armed Support Unit helped to deal with a disturbance yesterday evening in the Children Detention Centre in Oberstown in Dublin.
It was the second disorderly incident at the 25-acre campus this week.
Gardaí were called by the centre's director around 7.30pm, and it is understood that the Armed Support Unit was required to deal with a disturbance.
Following an anonymous tip-off to RTÉ News, the director, Pat Bergin, confirmed that disturbances took place on the campus near Lusk during two separate incidents earlier this week.
Mr Bergin said what he called "procedures" were initiated to address the situations which he said "were managed well by staff".
He said that he had requested the assistance of gardaí "due to the perceived level of risk on one occasion".
Mr Bergin said both incidents were "resolved successfully".
He expressed his appreciation to the centre's staff and to the gardaí for what he termed "the safe and cooperative manner in which the situations were concluded".
The director added that he is not in a position to give further details as the incidents are the subject of a garda investigation.
There have been three serious riots at the centre over the past 13 months.
The Garda Press Office said yesterday's incident involved criminal damage.
The modern facility, which includes a school and recreational facilities, has the capacity to accommodate 48 boys aged between 15 and 17.
About half have been detained by the courts for longer periods while the other half are on remand.
