Shock, but it’s business as usual

It was business as usual in most parts of downtown Boston yesterday as the city began to return to work after the horror of the marathon bombings.

Former Miss Ireland, Catrina Supple, originally from Youghal in Co Cork, and who works for a realty group in the Back Bay area, said there was a sense of shock rather than fear in the wake of the atrocity.

“There is a strong police presence but there is no sense of panic. It’s really business as usual,” she said.

“Since my Miss Ireland days, I’ve had the opportunity to travel the world and Boston is one of the greatest places I’ve ever been and that’s why I decided to move here. The people are very resilient and I’m sure the city and community will bounce back stronger than ever.”

As the FBI co-ordinated a multi-agency investigation into the double bomb blast, focusing on 12 blocks sealed off around the Boylston St area, early-morning commuters faced heightened security on the MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) system. Police and sniffer dogs were on patrol near some bus stations.

The Boston Globe said baggage was being swabbed by police and put through explosives-detecting scanners before passengers were allowed to board.

Ms Supple said she still feels safe in the city which is home to tens of thousands of Irish migrants.

“I live about five minutes away from where the blasts occurred,” she said.

“I didn’t hear the blasts, or see any smoke but you could sense that something was wrong. The trains were shut down and there were a lot more people on the streets. There was a strong police presence but there was no sense of panic.

“And today, as we read the newspapers about some of the injuries, some terrible stories are emerging. There was one woman who had two children in their 20s watching the race. They each lost a leg. I’m sure more terrible stories will emerge.

“We never expected that this city would be a target. There is a sense that these things always happen somewhere else so it is pretty shocking.

“The Boston marathon is a huge event for the city. It was a holiday. The weather was fine, the streets were packed, it’s a real, relaxed family day out. It is a really happy positive event.”

But she said while the feeling on the ground is that it is a real tragedy that three people died and more than 100 people suffered terrible injuries, there is a sense of relief that it wasn’t worse.

“It has brought the Irish community here together, with people checking in on Facebook to see if we’re all ok,” she said. “But I don’t feel afraid in this city today. It is a sense of shock rather than fear here today.”