Gardaí to prevent bare-knuckle fight

Gardaí are trying to stop a bare-knuckle fighting championship from getting underway in Co Westmeath today.

Around 3,000 people are due to attend the event, which is taking place in the Athlone area.

The fight is organised by travellers and criminal gangs from Dublin and Limerick.

Gardaí are setting up checkpoints to seize any drugs or weapons from people travelling to the event.