Cork Traveller rights groups say they 'never condone violence' as family feud escalates
A screengrab from one of the videos showing a group of men attempting to attack a pair of men at SuperValu in Hollyhill on Monday. Picture: Twitter/X
Traveller rights groups have said they "stand in solidarity with the innocent victims" of the escalating family feud, which has seen numerous violent scenes on the streets of Cork in recent days.
The Cork Traveller Visibility Group (TVG) and the Cork Traveller Women’s Network (CTWN) spoke out on Wednesday after the second major incident of violent disorder in the city since Monday linked to the feuding parties.
In a joint statement, the groups said: "CTWN and TVG never condone violence or criminality of any kind but will always support those marginalised and victimised by violence and oppression.
"We understand this is a matter for the gardaí to oversee and resolve and we offer support to Travellers who may be impacted by the current issues."
This latest escalation of the long-running feud has been blamed on an alleged assault on a pregnant woman in a city centre shop on St Stephen's Day.
On Monday, two men were chased into a shop in Hollyhill on the city’s northside by a gang of hooded and masked men wielding pickaxe handles, bats and slash hooks, where one of the men was attacked as he took shelter behind a counter.
A flatbed pick-up truck was driven at speed through the shop car park before ramming into a parked car.
Video clips were later posted online showing a man in a car wielding a chainsaw as the car was driven past the city’s Bridewell Garda Station, and later starting the chainsaw as the car drove through Blackpool.
Then on Tuesday, gardai in Carrigaline launched an investigation after a gang of men armed with pickaxe handles and bats attacked a housing charity-owned house in the town, smashing windows, kicking in the front door, and challenging an occupant to come out.
Video footage of the attack, which was posted online, appears to show fires burning at the front of the property in the immediate aftermath of the incident.
Gardaí say no injuries were reported, and their investigations are ongoing.
Chilling threats have also been posted online threatening to attack named individuals and burn property.
In their statement, the two Traveller advocate groups said they are first and foremost community development projects.
“The majority of our staff are Travellers and are focused on advocating for Traveller rights and challenging anti-Traveller racism that prevails in Irish society and institutions," they said.
Gardaí are monitoring social media posts, gathering intelligence and evidence, and are also working through various channels, including the community policing network, to engage with senior and respected figures in the Traveller community in a bid to ease tensions.
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