THREE MEN were being held by gardaí last night in connection with the series of weekend stabbings and assaults in Ballinrobe, Co Mayo.
A fourth man, who was arrested yesterday, was last night released without charge.
The four men, all in their 20s, were held after arrests in Sligo, Mayo and Galway. They were all being held under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act. This legislation allows gardaí to hold them in custody for 24 hours without charge.
Three of the arrests were made yesterday afternoon after members of a special unit set up to investigate the weekend incidents obtained a warrant to search a number of premises.
The fourth arrest was made in Galway city yesterday afternoon.
Gardaí had announced that the special unit was to be established to investigate a spate of attacks in the region.
They would not comment last night on whether charges were likely, but they did indicate that they were “making progress” in their extensive investigations.
The most seriously injured person in the Ballinrobe attacks early last Sunday morning was John Francis Reddington (27), Claran, Headford, Co Galway. He is in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin where his condition is said to be stable.
Two other victims of the weekend assaults are being treated at Mayo General Hospital in Castlebar.
A fourth man has been discharged from hospital.
Meanwhile, a member of Mayo County Council Michael Burke has called for a CCTV system in Ballinrobe to monitor regular unruly and unsocial behaviour. This would allow evidence to be collected into the early morning hours, particularly at weekends, he said.
“At the moment the people of Ballinrobe do not feel safe walking the streets,” Mr Burke added.