Suspects linked to rampage arrested
Up to 30 gardaí, eight squad cars and a garda helicopter were involved in the operation. Members of a local armed response unit and a divisional drug unit also took part in the arrests.
The move against the St Patrick’s Day assailants came after a US tourist was violently attacked and at least five other people were injured following the town’s parade last Tuesday, according to local garda sources.
A 29-year-old lawyer from Missouri received serious injuries to his eye socket and a broken nose. Injuries to two other victims required stitching.
The rampage happened in two phases, with gardaí pursuing the alleged attackers from the main street. A second round of attacks occurred half an hour later and saw gardaí pursue the suspects into a local river, where some were arrested.
Two individuals were arrested on St Patrick’s Day. Both are expected to appear in court this morning.
Gardaí moved in and arrested further suspects yesterday in the south of the town. The four men, aged from their late teens to early 20s, can be questioned for 24 hours.
Detectives, having studied CCTV footage of the incidents on the day, believe the attacks were unprovoked. The violent assaults have overshadowed last week’s celebrations.
Local businesses and hotels are thought to have offered the injured US tourist free breaks in the town.
However, the young lawyer is believed to have since returned home.
The RTÉ Liveline show said yesterday it had received calls that up to 10 serious assaults had taken place in Tipperary Town on St Patrick’s Day.
