CLARE’S MOST senior Garda has said that a Garda intervention during a violent Traveller incident on Sunday in Ennis prevented lives being lost.
“I am appalled and shocked by the disgraceful behaviour of these two families involved,” said Chief Supt John Kerin.
He added that one garda had sustained back and whiplash injuries after his patrol car was rammed twice at the Maid of Erin roundabout in Ennis.
Chief Supt Kerin confirmed that seven arrests had been made and said that he hoped the same number of arrests would be made in the coming days as the investigation into a succession of incidents continued.
The senior garda said that a number who had been involved in the incidents over recent days had left Co Clare. “I want them to know that we will track them down and they will face justice. We will do our job,” he said.
Chief Supt Kerin said Sunday night’s incident was one of four over the past few days relating to the two families’ dispute that started with an incident at a Traveller wedding at Ennis’s Cathedral last Thursday afternoon.
During the wedding incident, a teenage boy was hospitalised during a row outside the church where three men brandished a slash-hook, Stanley knife and pick-axe handle.
“The actions of the two sides in this is an absolute disgrace. They are a disgrace to the individuals concerned; a disgrace to their families and a disgrace to the community. They should be ashamed of themselves,” said Chief Supt Kerin.
He added that the incidents were also “very bad for the good reputation of Ennis which is a quiet peaceful town. We cannot allow these people wreak havoc.”
Chief Supt Kerin said that during Sunday’s incident, a car had driven clockwise and anti-clockwise around the busy Maid Of Erin roundabout before twice ramming into a Garda patrol car.
The senior garda said that the time in custody of three of the accused had been extended.
