VIDEO: Peaceful Cork neighbourhood shattered by violent death of Marian Horgan

The ostensibly violent manner in which Marian Horgan, a mother of three, died in her home appears radically at odds with the normalcy of her life.

Described as “a fantastic lady” and “a great community leader”, her passing was mourned by neighbours in the usually tranquil Cork City suburb of Montenotte yesterday.

“I knew Marian very well, she was a great friend of mine and to be honest she is a huge loss,” said Cork City councillor Joe Kavanagh.

Marian and Billy Horgan: Described by neighbours as fit and healthy.

“She was a member of Murmont Residents’ Association and was very proactive in the Save Our Tank Field campaign. It just defies belief, what’s after happening. I’m just totally and utterly devastated and the whole community is and it will take a long time to get over this,” he said.

The atmosphere in Murmont Ave, location of the Horgan family home, was one of palpable shock and neighbours were understandably subdued.

“I heard a load of sirens when I woke up this morning and, when I looked out the window, I saw three ambulances, but you could never believe something like this would happen on your doorstep,” one neighbour said.

The incident that led to Marian’s death and resulted in serious injury to her husband Billy took place around 7.30am.

One neighbour reported his surprise at seeing so many emergency response vehicles outside number 5 Murmont Avenue as he returned home from work at 7.50am.

Another said his information was that neighbours had intervened while Billy was under knife attack: That he had run from his home with his armed attacker in pursuit, and that neighbour Fergus O’Donoghue, formerly of Cork City FC, had wrestled the assailant to the ground. Neighbours raised the alarm.

Gardaí subsequently confirmed neighbours had come to Billy’s assistance and that a man in his 20s was arrested at the scene.

He is understood to be Paul Horgan, the couple’s only son. He was taken to Mayfield Garda Station for questioning.

The Garda Forensic Unit arrived at the crime scene about 10.15am.

State pathologist Marie Cassidy at the house in Montenotte.

The house, is a standard semi-D with attached garage. A glass porch with red candle, chair and lantern fronted the house which faced onto a well-tended garden.

Members of the forensics team carried brown paper bags from the house and boxes labelled “CSI” were carried inside. A poster which read “Save Our Tank Field” sat in the upstairs window, in solidarity with signs in neighbouring homes.

The Tank Field, the site of a protracted and well-documented struggle between residents and a gaelscoil with plans to expand, is where Billy Horgan walks his dog every day — and where many of his friends join him.

“Poor Billy. He’s a member of our 11 o’clock Club you know. We all meet in the Tank Field at 11 o’clock to walk our dogs. Marian might be there the odd time. But Billy would be out every day. We can’t believe it,” one woman said.

Marian, also a dog lover, was passionate about fitness. Neighbours remarked at seeing her out running regularly.

“Marian was very involved in fitness, she ran the Cork mini marathon about a year ago.

“I remember meeting her at the starting line and you’d often see her training on the roads. She didn’t look her age at all,” Joe Kavanagh said.

Both Marian and Billy, in their 60s, were described as “fit and healthy”. Neighbours said the couple also had two daughters — one in Cork and one living in Dublin.

Billy was retired and Marian worked as a secretary for Kevin Hegarty Solicitors, Dillon’s Cross.

They were both previously involved at underage level in Brian Dillon’s Hurling and Football Club, based at the Tank Field.

Yesterday, Marian’s body was removed from the family home around 1pm and taken to Cork University Hospital for a full post mortem.

Billy underwent surgery at the Mercy University Hospital for stab wounds. Gardaí described his injuries as “non life-threatening”.

At Murmont Ave, garda door-to-door inquiries got underway.

“It’s an awful tragedy,” said Worker’s Party city councillor Ted Tynan.

“I feel very sorry for the man who lost his wife. I’ve got to know the people living here over the years and I can tell you the neighbourhood is traumatised.

“It’s a quiet, tranquil, area overlooking Cork city and that’s what makes it all the more shocking.”