Cork City is currently under heightened security as armed Gardaí establish checkpoints throughout North Cork in response to a series of violent outbreaks involving firearms and explosives. The recent incidents have raised significant concerns about public safety, prompting law enforcement to take decisive action.
The surge in violence began with a disturbing episode at Murphy’s Rock pub in Ballyvolane. A man, following a verbal altercation at the pub, returned with a slash-hook, and upon being ousted by security, escalated the conflict by hurling a petrol bomb. This attack resulted in minor property damage but marked a worrying escalation in local hostilities. The perpetrator was apprehended shortly after the incident and has been held in Garda custody since Sunday night.
In an unrelated but equally alarming event, a suspected hand grenade was used in an attack at a residence in Meadow Park Avenue, Ballyvolane. The Defense Forces conducted a controlled explosion after evacuating local residents and securing the area. This attack appears to be part of a pattern of targeted violence in the area, including gunfire incidents in Palmbury Orchard, Togher, and Fair Hill.
Authorities are linking these violent acts to an ongoing feud between two extended Traveller families, which has not only persisted but intensified, spreading fear among the residents of both the north and south sides of the city. The conflict has also stirred unrest in the northwest of Cork, with a recent petrol bomb attack in Gurranabraher, further destabilizing the community.
Adding to the tension, notorious criminal Gavin Sheehan, recently released from prison, is reportedly seeking the protection of former inmates after surviving an assassination attempt. This development suggests a potential increase in organized criminal activity and retaliatory violence in the city.
Gardaí are deeply concerned about the rising violence and have responded by deploying armed checkpoints in critical areas to intercept and prevent further attacks. The community remains on edge as authorities strive to restore peace and order in the region.
