A MAN ARRESTED in connection with events surrounding an eviction in Strokestown in Co Roscommon last month has appeared in court. 

A second man has also been arrested in connection with the incident this morning and is being detained at Castlerea Garda Station. 

The first man was brought before a special sitting of Castlerea District Court this morning where he was remanded in custody to appear at Harristown District Court in one week’s time. 

The incident in question concerns a property in Falsk was repossessed by private security personnel on 16 December.

There were scuffles with the family who lived in the house and with people who had turned up to support them.

Following this, eight people were injured during a separate  incident at the property, three of whom required hospital treatment.

A number of vehicles were set on fire, and a dog was also seriously injured and had to be put down as a result.

The eviction led to a number of protests and the issue was raised in the Dáil. 

There has been criticism of the gardaí because they did not intervene in altercations between security staff and the family’s supporters.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has rejected any suggestion that his members are supervising evictions or that they would stand by and allow violence to occur at one.

Gardaí said investigations are continuing.

With reporting from Órla Ryan

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