'Traveller Town' Rathkeale - linked to Dale Farm - still facing feuds and investigations into international organised crime

A "TRAVELLER Town" linked to the families who occupied the illegal Dale Farm development continues to face police investigation due to alleged feuds and suspected links to international organised crime.

Rathkeale, in County Limerick, (above) saw its population swell over Christmas as traveller families, who spend the year travelling across the UK, Europe and further afield, returned to attend weddings and funerals.

The country town has one of Ireland's biggest Irish traveller populations, with the community estimated to make up to 50 per cent of inhabitants.

While the majority are law abiding, there are significant numbers suspected of involvement in international organised crime, who are part of a network often described as the "Rathkeale Rovers."

Many of the homes bought up by the travelling community stand empty and boarded for much of the year before they return to them for the festivities.

Several families from the town were based at Dale Farm, at Crays Hill, near Basildon, Essex, from 2001, when it was illegally doubled in size, to 2011, when it was evicted and cleared in a major operation that made international headlines.

As feuds continue in the town, last month the Gardaí confirmed it was investigating a drive-by shooting at a house in Rathkeale at about 9:15pm on the evening of Sunday, December 21, The Irish Times reported.

A number of shots were reportedly discharged from a firearm at a house but no injuries were reported.

A large police presence, including checkpoints and a helicopter had been seen in the town before the incident after a number of other violent events.

In early December police separately carried out an operation in Rathkeale into suspected money laundering connected to people involved in “serious criminality on a transnational basis”.

About €400,000 (£347,000) in cash and bank accounts was seized at 11 locations in the town.

Suspected rhino horns were also seized.

On November 30th another house on New Road was shot at, with no injuries reported.