The “truly shocking” scenes in Rathkeale yesterday cannot be tolerated in a civilised, democratic society, according to junior minister Niall Collins.
Part of the Limerick town was sealed off after violent scenes in which around six SUVs were rammed and weapons were brandished.
Footage from the scene shows several damaged cars with debris scattered across a street leading into the town.
A machete can be seen in one video with another showing people in balaclavas running away.
On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Junior Minister Niall Collins said Gardaí need extra resources to police the town over the Christmas period.
“It appears from what we are hearing that it is the result of two feuding families,” he said.
“As I said, there is a dedicated policing plan but I will be asking the local Garda management to immediately review that local policing plan for the town of Rathkeale for the Christmas period.
“If it is the case that we need to revisit resourcing within it then I’ll play my part. I spoke to the acting Minister for Justice yesterday, Simon Harris, in relation to it, to make him aware of it.
“I mean it is just simply, in any civilised democratic society, you can’t have people carrying on like that in broad daylight.”
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
Minister Collins said locals in the area are “very deflated” after the incident.
“They are shocked obviously,” he said. “It is not the norm.
“Rathkeale is a town with a lot of challenges this time of year. The population trebles, even quadruples.
“A lot of members of the Travelling community who live abroad come home and spend the bones of two months really in Rathkeale so it puts a lot of pressure on 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
He said the incident happened in “broad daylight” as children were being collected from school.
“From the video clips that were circulating afterwards, it was truly shocking,” he said.
“About six large SUVs completely rammed, scattered in all directions; debris from cars scattered along a long stretch of the road [at] the entrance into the town.
“A machete was certainly visible and there were other pieces of footage circulating on social media last night which showed a number of people in balaclavas running from the scene.”
Minister Collins said the incident sullies the good work of the many community groups who live in “peace and harmony” in Rathkeale 12 months a year.
“Many members of the Travelling community live there in peace and harmony also, and obviously weren’t involved in this so this is really, really upsetting and disappointing,” he said.
He said there was a big Garda presence in the town last night, with checkpoints and members of the Armed Response Unit at the ready.
Gardai said they are investigating a “public order and dangerous driving” incident in the town.
They are also appealing for witnesses, especially those who were in the area between 2pm and 4pm yesterday, to come forward.
