This article is from page 1 of the 2012-10-16 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 1 JPG
A TRAVELLER feud that has spilled onto the streets of Ennis on two separate occasions over the last week has been branded “absolutely disgraceful” by Chief Superintendent of the Clare Garda Division, John Kerin.
Seven people have been arrested in total in connection with violent disturbances that broke out at Ennis Cathedral, Maiville housing estate and the Maid of Eireann roundabout between Thursday and Sunday.
Charges have so far been brought against three people. Gardaí expect to make more arrests in the coming days. Armed members of the Garda Regional Response Unit have also been on patrol in Ennis over the last five days.
The latest incident occurred Sunday at the Maid of Eireann roundabout when members of the rival famillies clashed at around 6pm.
Gardaí on routine patrol came upon the incident and were backed up by units from Ennis Garda Station. Weapons including Stanley knives, pick-axe handles, slash hooks and a baseball and iron bars were all among weapons seized this past week alone. A garda was hospitalised after receiving whiplash injuries when the car he was sitting in was rammed by another vehicle.
A number of vehicles were damaged and an area near the roundabout was closed to traffic for three hours. Two women have been charged with public order offences and are due to appear in Ennis District Court on Wednesday.
Three men also arrested on Sunday had their periods of detention extended at Ennis Garda Station yesterday.
Gardaí believe the incident is linked to a violent altercation that occurred during a wedding at Ennis Cathedral on Thursday afternoon.