Mags GarganWaterford diocese has warned against people acting like vigilantes following anti-Roma protests in the city over the weekend. These led to people being evacuated from their homes and property being damaged.
Large groups of people protested outside the homes of members of the Roma community in the city on both Saturday and Sunday.
Protestors said they were concerned about the alleged involvement of some members of the community in crime.
Gardai confirmed a number of protests took place said “one male in his 40s was arrested for public order offences. He was later released without charge. A file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions”.
A spokesperson for the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore said “people should not take the law into their own hands, and if they have any grievances or have evidence of a crime, they should report it to the gardai to investigate”.