AN INVESTIGATION is under way after gardaí were threatened with a firearm as they broke up a row outside a rural pub in Co Donegal in the early hours of yesterday.
The incident happened in Gleneely, a village about five kilometres from Carndonagh, following an altercation between several locals and a number of people from the North.
Gardaí say a man produced a .38 revolver and pointed it at them as they responded to the melee outside the Orchard Bar about 12.30am.
Supt William Johnston, who is leading the investigation, said the man fled the scene in a 4x4 vehicle after discarding the firearm. Supt Johnston said the area was sealed off and a number of people were interviewed. The weapon was later recovered in undergrowth a short distance from the pub.
A man originally from the North was arrested during a follow-up search of a house about four miles from the village. At least one stolen car was recovered from the back of the property, say gardaí. The man was brought to Buncrana Garda station where he was detained under section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.
“An incident room has been set up at Buncrana Garda station to piece together what happened on the night and it is envisaged a number of people will be interviewed further as part of the investigation,” Supt Johnston said.
Buncrana gardaí are appealing for witnesses to the incident.