Gardai have launched an investigation after footage emerged of an 'altercation' between workmen and pedestrians on a street in Navan town.
The incident took place in broad daylight just before 4pm on Wednesday, at a construction site on Trimgate Street in Navan, Co Meath.
A video of the brawl went viral on social media and shows two men appearing to have a confrontation with two builders before it turned violent, with the men lashing out at the builders with a shovel, and one swinging a hammer.
READ MORE: Shocking brawl breaks out between workmen and pedestrians wielding shovels and hammers in Navan
Gardai in Navan are now making enquiries into the incident and have asked anymore with information to come forward.
A garda spokesperson said: "Gardaí at Navan are investigating reports of an altercation involving a number of individuals on Trimgate Street, Navan shortly before 4pm on Wednesday, 13th of September, 2023.
"Enquires into the incident are ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Navan Garda Station on 046 9079930 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111."
In a three-minute clip that was widely shared online, two pedestrians are seen walking down the street before they move a barrier on the footpath and attempt to walk through the building site area.
The two workmen on the site appear to tell the men not to enter before the men become confrontational and one throws a large piece of piping at the workmen.
The workmen remain standing at the other end of the site until one of the pedestrians grabs a broom and approaches them.
One of the builders then pushes him back and the man drops the broom before picking up a shovel - but is quickly pulled to the ground by the builder.
The man's associate then joins in the brawl and also picks up a shovel but he is wrestled by the two workmen. The first man gets up off the ground, grabs a hammer and charges at one of the workmen swinging the object at him.
The second workman then swings the shovel around and appears to hit the man wielding the hammer on the head with a shovel.
At this point onlookers approach the site and appear to intervene to break the fight up and the rest of the clip shows a heated exchange of words.
Navan independent councillor Alan Lawes called the footage "disgraceful" and said that the builders "rightly defended themselves".
Speaking to The Irish Mirror he said: "The workmen were just trying to get on with their work and unfortunately these guys decided to have a go. In fairness to the builders, they defended themselves, that’s the way it looks."
He continued: "They rightly defended themselves because these guys thought they could just attack anybody and abuse anybody.
"They should be safe doing their job. They had the place fenced off and they were trying to do their job.
"It really is disgraceful kind of behaviour and I hope at least the CCTV footage is clear enough and I’d imagine the gardai will be able to identify these guys from the footage and take the appropriate action."
