Extra gardaí drafted for festive influx of Travellers

EXTRA gardaí have been drafted and a temporary health clinic installed to deal with a Christmas influx of Travellers to a west Limerick town.

Rathkeale is bracing itself for the annual population explosion when 600 Travellers join its 1,500 residents for the festive season.

To alleviate the strain on local services, the Mid-Western Health Board has opened a temporary health clinic and schools are catering for extra pupils. Additional gardaí have been drafted from west Limerick.