Calls for closure of halting site after fight sparks riot

A HALTING site which gardaí were forced to patrol overnight on Tuesday because of rioting should be closed down, a local councillor says.

Rioting broke out between rival families after a bare-knuckle fist fight spread into the assembled gathering at the Kilbarry site on the edge of Waterford city on Tuesday evening.

As many as 50 gardaí were forced to patrol the area throughout the night after several attempts were made by a handful of trouble-makers to re-ignite the rivalry. An arsenal of weapons including pitchforks, scythes and planks of wood, were seized as gardaí restored order.