A Traveller organisation has condemned the actions of those involved in a violent brawl at an annual cemetery Mass in Co Laois last Sunday, describing the behaviour as “appalling”, reports Breaking News.
Pavee Point, which works on human rights and social justice issues for Irish Travellers and the Roma community, said the conduct of some individuals at the Sts Peter and Paul’s blessing of the graves in Portlaoise was “unacceptable” and risks fuelling harmful stereotyping, reports Breaking News.
Co-director Martin Collins said that while the most important outcome was that no one was killed or seriously injured, the incident was still deeply troubling given the setting and number of people present, reports Breaking News.
He said such violence in a place of worship and remembrance was “absolutely appalling” and stressed that any Traveller organisation should openly condemn what occurred, reports Breaking News.
Mr Collins added that the incident was damaging to the wider community and risked reinforcing stereotypes that Travellers are inherently violent, reports Breaking News.
He also noted that the situation remains under active investigation and urged anyone with information to come forward to gardaí, reports Breaking News.
Separately, two men and two 17-year-old boys were remanded on bail at a special sitting of Portlaoise District Court, with charges linked to the incident including offences under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act and affray, reports Breaking News.
Three of the accused are due to reappear on July 20th, with the fourth due back in court on July 23rd, reports Breaking News.
It is understood that during the incident, which involved a large crowd of around 3,000 people attending the cemetery Mass, a number of weapons including knives were brandished, reports Breaking News.
Two individuals—a man in his 20s and a juvenile—were treated in hospital for non-life-threatening injuries following the disorder, reports Breaking News.
An Garda Síochána has appealed for witnesses, particularly anyone who was in the Sts Peter and Paul’s Cemetery area between midday and 1.30pm last Sunday, to come forward with information or footage that may assist the investigation, reports Breaking News.
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