Four charged in connection with Tuam gang assault

FURTHER arrests are likely in the ongoing investigation into an alleged assault in Tuam two weeks ago, which left two men in their 30s injured. Four men have appeared in court over the past week, charged in connection with the attack, and are due before the courts again in the New Year. Colin Mongan (20), Killaloonty, Tuam; Eanna Donnellan (18), The Glebe, Tuam; PJ Coen (20) Ardskeaghmore, Cummer and Alan Cahill (22), Cois na hAbhainn, Tuam all face charges in connection with the incident at Foster Place on Sunday December 12. Meanwhile a further eight people were arrested over the weekend for separate public order offences in the town. Tuam Gardai have reiterated their call for victims of crime to report such incidents to ensure those responsible are brought to justice. Superintendent Gearóid Begley said that while there was a perception that recent assaults made the weekend concerned different from any other weekend in the town, this was not the case. 'The policing of public order at the weekends in Tuam has always been a priority and that continues to be the case,' he said. 'I cannot comment on the investigation into the alleged incident at Foster Place as that is ongoing, but I can confirm that eight people were arrested for public order offences in the town at the weekend.' Supt Begley said the Garda van had been in town at the weekend but that weather conditions meant it was only deployed on Friday night. 'Garda foot patrols are a constant feature of our dealing with this issue but people must accept that Gardaí cannot be everywhere, nor can they be in two places at the one time. 'The fact remains though that we can only act on information provided to us by the public so if people have concerns or issues they want us to deal with, then they need to come to us with that information. 'We can only investigate crimes and incidents that are reported to us.' It is hoped that the extra patrols witnessed last weekend will remain in the town into the New Year, with Supt Begley committed to utilising every resource available to him to maintain law and order.