Traveller leader arrested in protests over barrier

TRAVELLER leader Martin Collins was among three people arrested during protests yesterday over the blocking of an access road to a north Dublin halting site.

Gardaí made the three arrests on public order offences at the Auburn Avenue roundabout of the M50 motorway. The garda action came after a night of tension, during which gangs of youths stoned passing motorists. A number of cars and an excavator as well as a building at Dunsink Observatory were set on fire.

Earlier yesterday morning, a huge force of gardaí prevented Travellers from blocking the roundabout in protest at the erection of a barrier at the entrance to the halting site in Finglas.