TikTok ‘call-outs’ linked to alarming increase in Traveller gang violence
Gardaí blame social media posts for rise in attacks among rival groupings
GARDAÍ are putting plans in place to deal with an upsurge in violence between rival Traveller gangs who are increasingly posting ‘call-out’ videos on TikTok, the Irish Mail on Sunday has learned.
Tensions have been exacerbated between the gangs due to using the popular video-sharing platform to taunt and abuse each other.
An informed security source told the MoS: ‘There’s no doubt about it; call-out videos lead to increased tensions and violence between feuding sides.’
According to the source, gangs began posting the call-out videos on YouTube ‘but increasingly we are seeing them now on TikTok’.
‘The people engaged in these videos love it. When one posts, the opposition comes under pressure to respond. Usually, you will also see the girlfriends or wives [also responding], and that leads to feuding between even more people.’
In some cases, brutal attacks – and even gunshots being fired – are filmed and then posted online in a bid to further incite violence.
The source added: ‘We have had situations where gardaí are putting policing plans in place after callout videos are posted. It’s crazy, but this is the way of the world.’
Last summer, sinister videos exacerbated a dangerous feud between rival gangs after a young man was stabbed in Co. Kerry.
The man refused to go to hospital for treatment. Just hours later, a number of ‘call-out’ videos were posted to TikTok and YouTube.
In one video, filmed in Ballybunion, an unseen man warns his rivals: ‘There won’t be a [name of rival Limerick gang] to come to Ballybunion for the summer. The first one we catch, we’ll chop him to bits.’
Another video shows a masked male again threatening the Limerick gang, with up to 20 males – all masked – standing behind him.
‘No more peace, boys,’ he warns. In July, gardaí in Mayo put a policing plan in place to deal with a potential outbreak of violence on the day that former bare-knuckle boxer and Celebrity Big Brother winner Paddy Doherty did a charity climb of Croagh Patrick.
After the climb was announced, videos emerged on social media ‘calling out’ rivals and challenging others to undertake the climb. Fears of a violent showdown resulted in Doherty intervening in a plea for peace.
In a message, he said: ‘I’m asking you, it goes for Travellers and nonTravellers... I’m not asking you – I’m begging you, please don’t start trouble at this walk.
‘Please, anyone who’s got issues with anyone, leave it. That day of all days, let it bypass.’
Ultimately, the day passed without incident.
Videos of frightening attacks are also being increasingly posted online to threaten rival sides.
Earlier this year, a video was posted showing a shooting in broad daylight at a Co. Clare halting site. The video showed males getting out of a vehicle on the halting site, on the outskirts of Ennis, before running towards a car as a gun can be heard being discharged.
Two men then run deeper into the halting site before firing more shots and fleeing the scene.
Last year, gardaí increased their presence around Ennis following a number of incidents involving feuding factions.
Videos of attacks on homes and cars were circulated on social media as dozens of threatening messages were sent back and forth between different groups clashing with each other in separate rows.
‘Frightening attacks are being posted online’