Samurai swords, knives seized by Gardai in Manorlands, Trim

THREE samurai swords and three knives were seized by Gardai in the Manorlands Estate in Trim on St Stephen's Day.

Gardai had been called to a row among a group of travellers in the estate on Christmas day involving family members and visiting relatives and were observing the area the next day when two vehicles entered the estate and were searched at around 12.30pm.

Three samurai swords and three daggers were found in one car and a pickaxe handle, axe and shovel were found in the other. The dangerous weapons were seized by Gardai who are investigating the incident and will prepare a file for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Gardai were called to Manorlands on Christmas night/St Stephen's Day, following reports of a row but the other parties had left the scene when Gardai arrived. During the row, an assault was made to one person who had a small cut on his head but the person declined to make a complaint. Gardai continued to observe the area the next day when the seizure of weapons was made.

Gardai do not believe the samurai swords and knives were used in the row on Christmas night but believe a more serious incident was averted through the seizure of the weapons. Recently, there has been growing concern countrywide of the availability of such weapons.

A spokesperson for Trim Gardai said the matter was under active investigation and that it was unusual for an incident like this to occur in Trim.

Meanwhile, Gardai are investigating a burglary at a house in Newcastle, Enfield, on 27th December between 8.30pm and 10.30pm. The back windows of the house were forced to gain entry but nothing was taken.

Trim Gardai made 12 public order arrests in the district over the Christmas period and three drink-drivers were arrested over the New Year.

Investigations are also under way into two assaults over Christmas - one in Ballivor on 24th December where a man assaulted a garda who were called following a domestic disturbance, and another at Market Street where a man was hit by a bottle on the fist on New Year's night.