This article is from page 1 of the 2014-05-20 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 1 JPG
DANGEROUS scenes unfolded in Shannon on Saturday night when local gardaí had to call for assistance as a stand-off developed between members of the force and soccer supporters from Moyross on a bus attempting to return to Limerick.
It is understood that the extra gardaí called to the scene, arrived in Shannon already in riot gear.
Following the stand-off, which lasted for more than 20 minutes, gardaí made an arrest and recovered items allegedly stolen from a group of local teenagers earlier that evening.
Locals watching the scenes in Shannon on Saturday night described the situation as fraught.
“It was frightening for a while. The gardaí weren’t wanted on that bus and they were slow to come off it. Thankfully the reinforcements arrived when they did, otherwise I don’t know what would have happened,” a man who did not wish to be identified told The Clare People .
Seven teenagers were in a wooded area in Drumgeely when they were approached at around 7.30pm by a group of three males. Two of the group were wearing hoodies. One of them produced a knife and demanded money from them. The suspects stole € 24 and a speaker for a mobile phone before making off in the direction of Corrib Park.
It transpired the gang had travelled to Shannon with the Moyross United soccer club from Limerick. The suspects were part of a group of supporters that travelled by bus to play local side Shannon Town.
Gardaí in Shannon were alerted and intercepted the bus before it left the area. The passengers were asked to disembark and one of the injured parties was able to identify an 18year-old man suspected of being involved in the robbery.