Up to 25 people arrested during international rally

UP to 25 people were arrested in Killarney, Co Kerry, over the weekend for public order offences.

The arrests were made during the International Rally of the Lakes. Seven drink drivers were among those arrested. Huge crowds flocked into the area for the three-day event, which had hotels, guesthouses, pubs and restaurants doing a busy trade. B&Bs within a three-mile radius of the town were full.

“'We think crowds were slightly up on last year. Saturday night was very busy,” said Sgt Ray Walsh, Killarney. The rally, in which 150 crews competed, is reckoned to be worth €20m to the area. Killarney Fire Brigade was called to the scene when a car went on fire at the Lewis Road car park, on Saturday night.

What are known as “twin-cam drivers” were, reportedly, doing a do-nut turn when the car flipped over.

They fled the scene and gardaí are investigating.

There were long traffic tailbacks around Killarney, last evening, especially on the western side of the town with the final stages being held in the Molls Gap, Beaufort, Caragh Lake and Ballaghbeama areas.

Extra gardaí were drafted into Killarney for the weekend, backed up by the garda helicopter and a dog unit.

Gardaí estimate 100,000 people descended on the Co Kerry town.