Shocking scenes unfolded at a shopping centre in Kildare on Sunday as feuding Irish Traveller families clashed, raising Irish Garda police concerns about serious repercussions. The violent incident left a teenager in hospital with a non-life-threatening stomach wound.
Shopper were left shocked as they looked on in horror, while others tried to move away from the feuding gang as they ran through the centre armed with knives at around 3.30pm. The shocking 45-second video begins with three bare-chested men outside the shopping centre entrance, seemingly goading one another, before two of them begin throwing punches. The brawl then spills inside the shopping centre, where two of the shirtless men continue to fight.
Gardai believe that Stanley knives were used at this stage, according to sources. The two bare-chested men, joined by another shirtless male, continued to fight in front of shocked shoppers. A man in blue shorts is then seen on the escalator with blood streaming from his stomach, while another man uses a floor mop and strikes him with it. The injured man in the blue shorts manages to get away from the group by walking up the ‘down’ escalator, as a voice is heard shouting, “We got him,” and “Come back down,” before the footage ends.
Sources told the Irish Mirror: “The gang of lads are not from the Newbridge area but it appears it was a planned attack.
“They were practically sword fighting with each other with the Stanley knives in front of shocked shoppers on a Sunday afternoon. They seemed to have complete disregard for anyone else around them.”
“There are now fears of serious repercussions following this incident.”
It is understood that the injured man received stitches to his stomach wound at Naas General Hospital. So far, no arrests have been made, and Gardai are continuing their investigation while appealing for witnesses to come forward.
In a statement, An Garda Siochana said: “Gardai are appealing for witnesses following an assault on Main Street, Newbridge, Co. Kildare on Sunday, September 7. Gardai were alerted to the incident at a commercial premises at approximately 3.30pm. A male juvenile was treated at Naas General Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Gardai are appealing for any witnesses to this incident to come forward.
“Any pedestrians or road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were in the area at the time are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardai.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Newbridge Garda Station on (045) 440180, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. Investigations are ongoing.