Six arrested as gardaí search Dunsink sites

Six men have been arrested after gardaí searched a number of halting sites at Dunsink Lane near Finglas in north Dublin.

Around 200 officers, some wearing riot gear, were involved in the search, which began at 6 a.m. this morning.

Four were arrested for alleged public-order offences, one for alleged criminal damage ,and one man was arrested on foot of a warrant, a Garda spokesman said. The men are being questioned at Blanchardstown Garda Station.

Among the items recovered include bows and arrows, fireworks, a ball-bearing gun, a bullet-proof vest, and petrol bomb-making equipment, in addition to a radio scanner and a large number of DVDs and DVD burners.

Insp Brian Sherry of Blanchardstown said officers searched several premises and vehicles but met with no resistance.

He said: "The operation is the result of serious public order incidents in recent times during which petrol bombs and stones were pelted at gardaí."

Dunsink Lane was the scene of protests last week after barriers were erected which restricted the free movement of those living on the halting sites.

The barriers were erected on foot of the decision of a task force on anti-social behaviour, comprising members of Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council, the Garda and the Revenue Commissioners.

There had been concerns about illegal dumping by people deliberately driving to Dunsink Lane to off-load household goods and rubbish, and about the sale of illegal diesel in the area.

Members of the Travelling community said they were being unfairly penalised for other's offences and that they were forced to take a lengthy detour to get to nearby Finglas after the barriers were put up.

Following a number of days of protest on the nearby Navan road, an agreement was reached which resulted in the removal of the boulders blocking the lane.

A number of men were arrested for public order offences during the protests.  The nearby Elm Green golf course, a public facility, was also vandalised last week.

Additional reporting PA