Garda calls in reinforcements to deal with Travellers' dispute

The Garda in Waterford has called in reinforcements to deal with a dispute between members of Traveller families in the city. On Wednesday evening, an "altercation" arose between two men who then "went gathering their posses", according to gardaí.

Gardaí intervened and dispersed the men at St Herblain Park, Richmond's Meadow and in the halting site at Kilbarry.

Extra garda patrols continued last night, as it was feared that some of the men were involved in feuds last year that lead to a shooting and a girl getting rammed with a car.

The 16-year-old, who was eight months pregnant, was struck by a stolen car in Waterford on Halloween night. It is understood she came out of a caravan at an illegal encampment on the Old Kilmeadan Road as cars began ramming a number of vehicles and was hit as she attempted to make her escape.

This followed an incident hours earlier when a 21-year-old man received serious injuries to his head and leg from a slash hook and another implement.

In August last year, Michael Delaney (20) was shot in the legs at a feud on the site. Three men were injured in this row, while the other two men were wounded with slash hooks. None of the mens' injuries were life-threatening.

Sgt Larry Langton said yesterday: "We surrounded a number of places and drafted in extra gardaí. We are trying to get the parties involved to talk today and we will continue with extra patrols."

Around 30 caravans had been squatting at Kilbarry illegally in recent years, with 12 caravans legally parked at the site. Tensions arose between those set down legally and the squatters.

Waterford City Council moved on a number of families last September, with some setting up camp on The Green Road, nearby. "This is not the same feud [ as last year's], but some of the same people are involved," added Sgt Langton.