CLOSE to 80 extra gardai were deployed in Kells in Co Meath yesterday after i they received information that the long-running feud between the McDonagh and Ward Travelling families could erupt again.
Members of both families were due in the town for the funeral of Bernard Lawrence, who died in England.
Gardai established checkpoints on all roads into the town. There was a large number of gardai on the beat and by teatime there was a growing air of anxiety.
The Kells Heritage Festival is taking place all this week, but only one event was affected by the decision of the publicans to close last night.
It's believed gardai received information that the families would try and continue their feud at the funeral.
At a funeral in Co Sligo last May, Mr Patrick Ward was shot dead in a dispute which appeared to have its roots in a feud between the two families.