NO CHARGES will be brought against any members of the rival groups of Cork and Kerry people who caused a near riot in Killarney at the weekend. By yesterday evening, gardai in Killarney had not received any official complaints about the fracas.
Hand to hand fighting continued for about 15 minutes on New Street after a row broke out at a nearby disco between the group of about 60 people.
Local gardai were backed up by gardai from Tralee, Castleisland and Kenmare. By the time they arrived, however, the 20 Cork people - in Killarney to celebrate a 21st birthday - had boarded their coach and were on their way home.
Sgt Jack McGrath of Killarney Garda station said: "There was a lot of running around and fighting up and down the streets that lasted for about 15 minutes. It was impossible to identify any of those involved and there were no arrests."
Some local people reported that one Cork man, who missed the bus, panicked and got into a mini bus which he tried to drive away, but he crashed it into a wall and ran away.
One man was treated for minor injuries in Tralee General Hospital and others suffered black eyes, cuts and scratches.