Gardaí prevent Traveller confrontation

GARDAÍ last night put extra resources into a Cork city suburb as a dispute between Traveller gangs threatened to escalate into bloodshed.

It is understood members of the rival gangs converged in an area near the Abode facility in the southside Mahon suburb shortly before 4pm. Witnesses reported seeing a large group of men in their early 20s or younger carrying a variety of weapons including pitch forks and cleaver-like knives.

Before serious fighting could break out, a number of Garda cars arrived at the scene and the gangs scattered from the area. No injuries were reported.

Up to eight of the men escaped through the nearby St Michael’s cemetery before running through neighbouring gardens.

A Garda source last night confirmed there had been a “disturbance” between members of the Traveller community. While it is unclear what sparked the dispute, the Garda source said the situation was continuing to “simmer”.

Given the risk of serious violence, there were three or more patrols monitoring the area throughout yesterday and overnight.