'The looked like they were out for blood'

A car was badly damaged and glass in the door of a shop smashed during a clash involving armed men on Austin Friar Street this afternoon.

The incident occurred at around 3pm. Video footage on social media shows a number of armed men smashing windows on a car parked on the busy street.

Glass in the door of a shop was also smashed, while a number of retailers are reported to have locked their doors for the short period that the incident lasted.

It is believed that the clash is linked to an ongoing feud in the town between two groups.

One eye-witness, who asked not to be named, told the Westmeath Examiner that those involved “looked like they were out for blood”.

“They were armed with what looked like axes and bats. It was awful. A few businesses closed their doors and I saw one car being badly smashed up.”

When contacted by the Westmeath Examiner, the Garda Press Office issued this statement:

Gardaí responded to reports of a public order disturbance at Austin Frair Street, Mullingar shortly after 3pm on Wednesday 5th July. Criminal damage was caused to car in the course of the incident. There was no reports of any injuries. Those involved dispersed on arrival of Gardaí. No arrests have been made at this time. Enquires are ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Mullingar Garda Station 044 9384000 or the Garda Confidential Line 18006661112.