'Surreal atmosphere' in Cork with shoppers knowing lockdown was imminent

Cork shoppers queuing outside Penneys on  Patrick's St,  yesterday before the Level 5 lockdown comes into effect. Picture: Liz Dunphy

The sun shone down on happy shoppers as they queued patiently outside shops and hauled loaded bags home before Cork City shut down under Level 5 restrictions last night.

Oliver Plunkett Street was unrecognisable from the Armageddon-like scenes witnessed there on Tuesday when torrents of dirty water gushed onto the street and closed businesses.