Update arrested made and weapons seized after garda crackdown on traveller feud

Seven people have been arrested in Westmeath today as part of a Garda crackdown on a violent feud involving Traveller gangs.

In addition to the arrests, Gardai sezed 'a large number of weapons' including slash hooks, sledgehammers, flick knives and 'incapacitating spray' similar to pepper spray.

The searches began at 7am this morning and centred on seven homes in the Athlone Garda District and six homes in the Mullingar Garda District.

Three people have been arrested in the Athlone District.

They consist of a male in his 60s, a 17-year-old male, and a female in her 30s.

In the Mullingar District there were four males arrested, all aged in their 20s and 30s.

Segeant Michelle Baker of Athlone Garda Station said this afternoon that the seven people who were arrested are all currently being held for questioning and can be detained for a period of up to 24 hours.