Halloween policing plans adequate, say gardaí

Gardaí have said there were “adequate” policing plans in place to deal with Halloween festivities last night. The statement came as two Dublin bus routes had to be curtailed early in the evening as a result of Halloween-related anti-social behaviour in the north of the city.

The two routes, 13 and 122 were diverted following an incident in Finglas, which a Dublin Bus spokesman said was resolved within an hour.

Tara Street fire station, which monitors incidents across Dublin and 11 other counties, had received 400 calls by 9pm.

The Fire Service said that number was expected to double as the night progressed. A bonfire at Knockmitten reported after 8pm affected visibility on the M50 at Junction 9 (Red Cow), adding to delays at Junction 7 (Lucan).

Elsewhere across the country, stations in Cork, Galway and Limerick reported that while there was a good volume of phone calls, there were no major incidents.

Throughout the week, councils had been asking people to report stockpiling of materials for bonfires ahead of last night’s festivities.