More arrests made over ‘wave’ of antisocial behaviour in Limerick town
THE NUMBER of people arrested in relation to an escalation in antisocial behaviour in a County Limerick town has increased to five, gardai have confirmed.
A major garda investigation has been ongoing for a number of weeks into what has been described as a “wave of antisocial behaviour” in the town.
Last week, Limerick Live reported that three people had been arrested and gardai have now confirmed that additional arrests have been made.
“Two females - one juvenile and one adult - were arrested in the Galbally area in the early hours of Monday morning and brought to Bruff garda station. They were detained under the provisions of Section 4 for questioning in respect of antisocial behaviour in Kilmallock on June 18," stated Stated Superintendent Paul Reidy.
"It relates to a video which was and is circulating on social media. They were released without charge on Monday evening with a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions. Our operation is continuing and further arrests may occur in respect of antisocial behaviour and affrays and violent disorders that have been occurring in the Kilmallock area
"We are still pursuing other offenders in respect of it. The patrols are continuing and they will continue and there is a continued focus in the Kilmallock area from a policing perspective.”
Supt Reidy has since been transferred from County Limerick to Roxboro in the city but his involvement will continue in the case.
“I am staying with it and pursuing it out to the very end. It will continue until every single one of them is arrested and dealt with,” said Supt Reidy.
Uniformed gardai from Kilmallock and Bruff and detectives from Bruff, Newcastle West and the city have been investigating a number of incidents, some of which have been widely shared on social media.
One of the videos, seen by the Limerick Leader/Limerick Live, shows a vicious fight between two underage females while others watch on. The second video shows a juvenile female being assaulted, again with a number of parties in the vicinity.
Gardai arrested two juvenile females - one on Saturday, July 1 and one on Sunday, July 2 - in respect of one of the videos.
“Gardai are carrying out an extensive investigation, identifying the parties concerned and we will continue to take a very proactive course of action,” said Supt Reidy, who added that gardai are engaging with social services and Tusla.
“They are working hand-in-hand with the gardai in trying to deal with all the issues that are arising," he said.
Separately, a male teenager was arrested in Kilmallock on Monday, July 3 and charged at Limerick District Court in connection with an assault of a female teenager and possession of an offensive weapon on separate dates in May and June.
He was released on bail subject to strict conditions including that he stays out of certain areas of Kilmallock.