Eleven arrests in connection with public order and suspected drugs offences in Navan

Investigations are continuing following shocking scenes in the Kentstown Road and Johnstown area of Navan involving a large gang of youths at the weekend.

Footage circulating widely online shows a number of youths being apprehended by gardai in broad daylight on Saturday evening in response to reports that a large gang was causing trouble in the Kentstown Road area.

Around the same time, there was also a report of a suspected assault on a 19-year-old man who received a leg wound in the Bailis Manor area.

At around 6.45pm on Saturday, Gardai started to receive calls from members of the public about a gang of up to 30 youths, some armed with sticks and poles, in the Kentstown Road area.

Gardai have been praised for their quick response and several units responded and made a total of 11 arrests.

It is understood that one person was arrested for public order and was later released without charge with a file to be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. Ten arrests were made for the purpose of drugs searches but no drugs were seized as a result.

The gang are understood to be from Dublin and it is not clear how they travelled to Navan but there are reports that they were seen getting out of cars. Gardai are working on the theory that the incident was drugs related.

Gardai have praised the public for quickly reporting the incident as it unfolded.

"The public were very good and gave very detailed information. We had a good and quick response and this hopefully prevented any trouble from escalating," said Inspector Ronan Farrelly of Navan Garda Station.

Investigations are continuing and CCTV has also been collected from the area.

Also on Saturday evening, around the same time, Gardai received a call that a male had received a leg injury in the Bailis Manor area and Gardai have confirmed they are investigating a suspected assault. According to Gardai, a 19-year-old male received a "minor leg laceration" and was taken to Our Lady's Hospital, Navan. Gardai could not confirm whether the injury was as a result of stabbing as was being reported locally.