Two people were remanded in custody and seven others put under effective house arrest at a special sitting of Dundalk District Court on Saturday night. It sat to deal with people charged following rioting in the local Muirhevnamore estate that morning.
A total of 10 people were charged with public order offences. The court heard more serious charges were anticipated.
Garda Insp Gerry Smith said that between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. serious disturbances took place involving 60 to 70 youths. They were fighting among themselves, breaking windows and causing mayhem. Tom Bellew Avenue was blocked for two hours with a car which was later set on fire.
He objected to bail, saying that if released gardai feared the defendants would be involved in similar disturbances.
Judge Flann Brennan gave eight of the 10 bail. However, he made it a condition that seven remain permanently in their homes until their next court appearance.
Two of the accused were remanded in custody after the judge heard they had bench warrants for their arrest following their non-appearance at other court sittings.
All are to appear before Dundalk District Court on Wednesday.