Armed gardaí drafted in for Lakes rally

A major Garda operation, including two armed response teams, is under way today in Killarney, Co Kerry, where a motor rally is expected to draw thousands of enthusiasts and hundreds of so-called "boy racers".

Cars are converging on the tourist town for the annual Rally of the Lakes and were set to gather in convoy at points on motorways, according to gardaí.

One of the biggest gatherings was likely to be outside Limerick, according to Garda intelligence.