Five arrested at Waterford halting site

FIVE PEOPLE were arrested at a halting site in Co Waterford yesterday, the location of a shooting on Wednesday evening, after council workers attempted to move against a number of people living there illegally.

Martin Burke, a 23-year-old national and European kickboxer, suffered facial injuries during the shooting at the Shandon halting site in Co Waterford at about 10.20pm on Wednesday.

Gardaí have confirmed that the shooting is related to a feud between members of the Travelling community that began in the city over a year ago.

Mr Burke was taken to Waterford Regional Hospital where he underwent surgery, but he has since been discharged. It is understood that Mr Burke’s eyesight will be affected by his injuries.

Supt Tom O’Grady, Dungarvan, yesterday said a “man in his mid-20s was arrested and detained in the city [Garda station] and was released without charge” on Thursday evening, as part of an “ongoing investigation”.

Supt O’Grady added: “A number were removed from the site; they were living there illegally. Five arrests were made for obstruction and public order at the site.” Those arrested were later released without charge, it emerged.

Supt O’Grady said he could not comment further because the removal of the alleged squatters from the site was “a matter for the local authorities”.

Waterford Co Council removed four caravans, whose occupants are all related, from the site yesterday morning.

It is understood that Mr Burke, who previously lived in the city, was among those whose caravans were removed from the site. A large Garda presence remained at the site yesterday.

Last year, over 140 incidents arising from the dispute were recorded, while about 72 people were arrested, with some 40 of these appearing in court.

Serious injuries were inflicted in incidents such as shootings, beatings and other attacks during the dispute.

The feud began when a bare-knuckle fight between rival Traveller families, at the Six Cross Roads, escalated and resulted in further assaults, arson, criminal damage, car-rammings and numerous shootings.

Anyone with information on the Wednesday shooting can contact gardaí in Dungarvan on 058-48600.