Family row chez Ostrich?

[Kahnee]

Eight people were arrested today after a Traveller feud erupted into a full-scale riot at a housing estate.

Two petrol bombs, stones, slates and bricks were hurled during the disturbance at D’Alton Park, Mullingar, in Co Westmeath.

An elderly woman and four men aged between 30 and 50 were arrested at the scene, while three men were detained later as trouble flared up at the Midland Regional Hospital as people were being treated.

All were held for questioning at Mullingar Garda Station although the elderly woman was released without charge.

Local officers, reinforcements from surrounding areas and the Garda Air Support unit were called in at around noon to quell the ferocious fighting which involved up to 200 people, gardai said.

There were no reports of injured officers but three people were treated at hospital in Mullingar with minor injuries.

Further scuffles broke out at the hospital and officers were forced to intervene.

Cars entering and leaving the estate were being searched by gardai tonight after checkpoints were set-up to prevent an escalation of the violent and bitter feud involving two families.

Mullingar Fianna Fail councillor Jim Bourke said a large number of gardai were involved in the operation.

“The gardai moved down (to the housing estate) in great numbers,” he said.

“There must have been at least 10 squad cars went up through town heading for it.”

Scores of onlookers watched as around 20 officers quickly brought the riot under control.

One garda patrol car received extensive damage during the disturbance.

National Traveller Support group Pavee Point tonight condemned the violence and called for a peaceful resolution to the dispute.

Martin Collins, Pavee Point assistant director, said: “This senseless dispute doesn’t solve anything, and violence between members of the community only serves to further damage the reputation of Travellers, and alienate innocent members of the community from wider society.

“Those involved must end their violence and sit down to discuss their issues, before someone is seriously injured.”

The body rejected rumours the trouble broke out as a result of an organised fight.

[Kvarme Ate My Food]

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[Kahnee]

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[pipnasty]

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[Kahnee]

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