Garda called to scenic lakeside site over assaults

Gardaí were called to the scenic lakeside amenity area of Castlelough last weekend following complaints of assault and antisocial behaviour.
Four incidents of assault are being investigated after a group of young people were reportedly attacked by another group of individuals in the early hours of Saturday morning. It is understood that the young people were camping in the area at the time. One of them was allegedly struck in the nose with a hurl.
Local councillor John Carroll (FF) said he received a series of complaints from local people over what he described as “unacceptable behaviour by members of the Travelling Community at the Castlelough amenity area”.
Cllr Carroll said he was informed that a large number of caravans and camper vans arrived at the area over the weekend. They were parked illegally on green areas close to the lake edge.
“They invaded Castlelough without any respect for other users of this treasured amenity area,” the local representative said.
“Bonfires were very evident with much intoxicating liquor consumed and much litter thrown about. There was destruction of the local wood with small trees being knocked down to support the large bonfires.”
Cllr Carroll said members of the Traveller group engaged in a “confrontation with members of the foreign national community”. He understood that a number of people were taken to hospital and treated for facial injuries.
He added that the Travellers have since moved on and the local community has asked him to make urgent representations to Tipperary Co Council. People immediately want signage warning visitors to the site against littering, bonfires, alcohol consumption and overnight parking. Cllr Carroll pointed out that the local authority recently carried out significant work at the Castlelough amenity site, including the installation of new playground equipment.
“The behaviour of those Travellers at the weekend discouraged people from coming to Castlelough and drove people away from the facilities there,” he said. “That is unacceptable.”
A garda spokesperson said Nenagh gardaí responded to a reported disturbance at Castlelough at around 3.15am on Saturday. Four incidents of assault were reported. Gardaí are continuing to investigate the matter and file will be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.