22/07/2008

Fourteen Arrested Over Traveller Feud

A huge garda operation to curtail a Traveller's feud has resulted in 14 people being arrested and the recovery of two sawn-off shotguns.

The operation involved a series of raids in the last fortnight on homes, properties and on open and waste ground in the Waterford city area, with officers recovering 37 petrol bombs.

The searches began after a number of homes were targeted in petrol bomb attacks and other trouble which left a man seriously injured in an assault.

A small quantity of ammunition and weapons including slash hooks, machetes, pick axe handles, swords and knives have also been taken off the streets.

A spokesman for the garda said the feud had mainly affected the local Travelling community.

"Significant resources have been directed at criminal activity and public disorder which has occurred in the Waterford area in recent weeks," he said.

The spokesman went on to say that overt high-visibility patrols would be maintained across the Waterford area in the coming days and weeks if necessary.

(DW)

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