Rathkeale is on a “knife-edge” of fear that a Traveller gang will “bring the town to its knees” after weapons were seized, a Garda was seriously injured in a ramming, a local politician was threatened and shots were reportedly fired at a car in the town.
The Garda Armed Support Unit (ASU) has been patrolling the town and involved in a number of search operations as Gardai try to keep a lid on rising tensions after a violent Traveller gang came to the town.
A gang claimed to have attempted to extort land and property from locals, are causing “havoc”, said local sources.
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Local Fianna Fáil councillor Kevin Sheehan told a recent meeting of elected representatives that “law and order has gone out the widow” and that he has been warned that he may be “attacked” by associates of the gang.
Others have expressed concern that tensions will explode over Christmas period, when the town’s population traditionally trebles in size.
“An innocent person might get killed if they get caught up in the crossfire of all this,” said a local reliable source.
"They are only warming up. They have the potential to destroy Rathkeale if they are not dealt with,” warned the source.
“The Gardai have a duty of care to both the settled and traveller community to reassure them that they will do everything they can to stop this getting out of control.”
“The gardai need to stand next to the residents and not let things escalate.”
Local sources described the gang as “ruthless” and was being led by a young generation of “thugs” who have “no fear of the law”.
Another local source said they have witnessed a “noticeable garda presence on the streets” and that people were afraid to go out at night for fear of being caught up in violence.
“The town is going to take the worst you-turn in its history if something is not done to de-escalate the situation,” a source said.
Gardai confirmed they are actively investigating a number of violent incidents and have also seized weapons in the town.
A garda spokeswoman said: “Gardai seized a number of weapons at a property in Rathkeale, on the 21st of November as a result of a search operation”.
“These investigations are ongoing”.
Gardai are also probing details of an alleged attack on a property in Rathkeale in recent days.
It is understood masked individuals attacked a house with slash hooks.
“Gardai have received reports of an incident of criminal damage that occurred at approximately 11.35am on Friday, 18, 2022, in the Rathkeale area”.
Gardai added “no arrests have been made and investigations are ongoing”.
Garda sources also confirmed that Gardai were investigating reports of shots being fired at a car and a property in the town two weeks ago.
Gardai also confirmed that a Garda was seriously injured when a garda patrol was rammed on October 27.
“An official Garda vehicle was rammed during this incident and a garda member was later taken to university hospital limerick to receive treatment for his injuries,” said a garda spokesperson.
The brave garda is understood to have undergone surgery for his injuries but has “since returned to duty”.
Gardai said the alleged ramming occured on October 27, and that a man in his 40s was arrested and charged before limerick district court with “endangerment” on November 3.
In previous years, Gardai traditionally announced details of their Rathkeale Christmas placing plan, which normally included a employment of increased garda resources to cope with any potential incidents that may arise due to the town’s Traveller community population increasing three-fold over December and January.
However, when asked for details of this year’s Christmas policing plan, a garda spokesman replied: “An Garda Siochana does not comment on operational matters.”
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