Armed gardaí patrol Waterford estate

ARMED GARDAÍ have been patrolling a housing estate in Waterford city following the escalation of a family feud that led to a young man receiving “about 70” stitches after being stabbed.

A 19-year-old man was attacked at a house in Ardmore Park in the Ballybeg local authority housing estate at about 10.30pm on Monday. Three men were being questioned in relation to the incident.

Garda Sgt Larry Langton yesterday said three men wearing balaclavas attacked the youth in the livingroom of the house in Ardmore Park and “slashed him with knives on his body”.

He received injuries to his arms, forehead and shoulders, said Sgt Langton. He was taken to Waterford Regional Hospital where he was treated for his injuries but he discharged himself yesterday morning, according to a hospital source. “He received about 70 stitches,” said the source.

Gardaí arrested two men, aged 24 and 34, for questioning about the attack. They were held yesterday under section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act at Waterford Garda station.

Another man was also arrested yesterday in connection with an incident in Ballybeg last week and was being questioned at Tramore under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

Members of the Garda’s armed regional support unit based at Cork have been drafted into the city at “night-time in recent days” following a number of incidents, Sgt Langton said. A man and his two children were asleep in their home in Ballybeg Square at about 3.30am on Sunday when a car to the back of his house was burned out.

Gardaí believe that the family was “caught in the middle” of a feud between families at Ballybeg.

A second car was also burned out at Ardmore Park about 90 minutes later.

The feud is not believed to be related to a row that erupted in recent years between Travellers.

Meanwhile, about 12 masked men fled from a house in Ballybeg last Thursday as gardaí arrived. The gang had entered the house and the alarm was raised. One man was arrested and released without charge. A file has been prepared for the DPP.

Last Wednesday night, two cars outside this house were also damaged.

Anyone with information can contact gardaí in Waterford at 051-305300 or on the Garda confidential hotline 1800-666111.