FIVE MEN REMAIN IN GARDA CUSTODY IN CLAREMORRIS THIS MORNING, FOLLOWING AN ASSAULT OUTSIDE THE CHURCH DURING A FUNERAL MASS YESTERDAY.

THE BRAWL BROKE OUT SHORTLY BEFORE 10.30 YESTERDAY MORNING IN THE GROUNDS OF ST COLEMAN’S CHURCH.

ONE MAN, WHO RECEIVED HEAD INJURIES, WAS RUSHED TO THE MAYO GENERAL HOSPITAL WHERE HE’S STILL BEING TREATED FOR HIS INJURIES, WHICH ARE BELIEVED TO BE SERIOUS BUT NOT LIFE-THREATENING.

GARDA REINFORCEMENTS WERE CALLED IN AND 6 PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED – ONE OF WHOM WAS LATER TAKEN TO HOSPITAL.

GARDAI RECOVERED A VARIETY OF WEAPONS, INCLUDING A HATCHET AND IRON BARS.

THE FUNERAL THEN PROCEEDED TO KNOCK, WHERE ANOTHER STAND-OFF TOOK PLACE BETWEEN THE GARDAI AND MEMBERS OF THE TRAVELLING COMMUNITY, AND GARDAI SEARCHED A NUMBER OF VEHICLES.