Last night.
New Street, Longford town, Co Longford.
Eamonn Farrell writes:
Armed Garda Units back up uniformed gardai assigned to try and deal with increased levels of criminal violence which is making life difficult and dangerous for local residents.
The problem is compounded by the fact that the violence is believed to be between a number of families engaged in criminal activities and settling their scores on the streets of Longford town.
Members of the local business community and politicians have called for more sustained Garda action with the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) being introduced into the fray.
The recent violence has involved guns, knives and arson.
Longford is a clean, tidy town, acting as a gateway to the North West, but the sight of armed gardai on its streets draws parallels with the worst of gangland crime in Dublin city’s black spots.
Name that weapon, anyone?