Weapons found during investigation into Traveller feud

A MAN in his 20s was arrested early yesterday after a shotgun was found in the boot of his car near Castleisland, Co Kerry.

In a follow-up search of a house in the Mitchels area of Tralee, a further stock of weapons and devices was discovered, including another shotgun, three petrol bombs, two samurai swords, a slash hook, a knife and two balaclavas.

The arrest, made shortly after midnight, was part of a continuing investigation into a bitter feud between Kerry Traveller families which has been going on since early May.

The 26-year-old man, who was alone in the car, was brought to Tralee Garda Station where he was detained for questioning under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.

So far, more than 40 people have been charged arising from about 80 incidents which occurred mainly in the Tralee area.

The armed Garda Regional Support Unit has been called to assist local gardaí on a number of occasions.

Overall, a total of six guns have been seized, as well as an arsenal of more than 60 other weapons in raids on several homes, mainly in the St Martin’s Park and Mitchels areas, in Tralee.

The weapons included a machete, iron bars, slash hooks, hatchets, pitch forks, axes, shovels, golf clubs, chair legs and garden tools.

Senior gardaí have voiced concerns that someone will be killed, or seriously injured, if the feuding continues.

“These are extremely dangerous weapons that are capable of inflicting very serious injuries,” said a Garda spokesman.

Groups of up to 40 young men, some wearing masks to hide their identity, have been involved in street brawls and gardaí have had to move in to quell riot situations. There are indications that the feud has spread from Tralee to other towns in Kerry.