Newbridge Shopping Centre brawl condemned

A BRAWL in the county's biggest shopping centre on Sunday has been condemned as gardaí appeal for witnesses.

The fight began on Mains Street, Newbridge before escalating into the shopping centre at around 3.30pm. The incident was captured on video and shared widely on social media.  The two main protagonists, one shirtless, appeared to have been egged on by a handful of others. 

Terrified shoppers and families fled from their violent progression into the heart of the shopping centre as far as the escalators to the first floor.

At this point one of the main instigators was hit a number of times over the head and shoulders by a third party with what looks like a mop handle, before he makes his escape off up the escalators, at which point, the film stops.

Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this incident to come forward.

A male juvenile was treated at Naas General Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

“I wasn’t there but I heard about it,” said local councillor Cllr Chris Pender. “It’s beyond ridiculous."

It's understood that the main protagonists are not from the area but from Co Laois and Waterford.

“Nobody has been able to indicate what started the fight, but my understanding was they both had blades, so it could’ve been so, so much worse,” he said.

Any pedestrians or road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were in the area at the time are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Newbridge Garda Station on (045) 440180, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.