The Justice Minister has described violent scenes in a Limerick town yesterday evening as 'unacceptable'.
Simon Harris says an 'enhanced policing presence' will be maintained in Rathkeale over Christmas, after two rival gangs were involved in a tense stand-off.
The scenes in Rathkeale yesterday were absolutely unacceptable.
The Armed Support Unit was deployed rapidly, and I’ve been assured an enhanced policing presence will continue to be part of the policing plan over Christmas to ensure order is maintained in the town.— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) December 20, 2022
It's reported machetes were produced, while a number of jeeps were rammed.
Local journalist David Raleigh describes the background to last night's events:
"A group that had previously been based in Rathkeale had left, and now they've returned."
"What sources are saying is this group have attempted to extort land and property from people in Rathkeale.
David says this is "ignited a feud" between this group and at least two other groups in the town.
Garda investigations are ongoing, and they have appealed to any witnesses to contact Rathkeale Garda Station to make sure that those involved can be identified and prosecuted.
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) December 20, 2022
"Thuggery"
Local councillor and chairman of Limerick's joint policing committee, Adam Teskey, says more garda resources are needed to prevent these situations from escalating:
"Something has to be done, once and for all, to root this out of our society."
"There is no place for this thuggery, and it has to brought to a stop for once and for all."
