‘End protection racket at fairs’

Calls have been made for a crackdown on "sinister elements’’ allegedly involved in a protection racket at a fair in a top tourist town.

There are claims that a gang from outside the area is seeking money from stall-holders to allow them operate at the annual August 15 fair, in Kenmare, Co Kerry, tomorrow.

Locally based senator Mark Daly (FF), who has said sinister elements demanded around €300 from individual stall-holders last year, yesterday said the only way to deal with the problem was to have workable, casual trading bylaws.