'Organised mayhem' in Cork suburb as masked men chase and assault man

A man suffered a suspected broken arm after being chased by masked men armed with weapons in Ballyphehane, with gardaí investigating possible links to an earlier petrol bomb attack

Gardaí attended the scene of a road traffic road collision outside Virgin Media Park on Tuesday, August 4. Picture: Red FM

Masked men armed with weapons believed to include metal bars and baseball bats unleashed “organised mayhem” in a Cork suburb this week, chasing down and attacking one male and recklessly endangering the lives of passers-by on Tuesday evening.

The incident also involved a car mounting a footpath and a vehicle that had previously been reported stolen crashing at the gates of Virgin Media Park (Musgrave Park) during the pursuit.

Gardaí are investigating whether the incidents are linked to a petrol bomb attack on a house in Ballyphehane in May.

Those involved are also suspected of links to wider criminal activity.

Three to four men were chasing another male from Pearse Rd in Ballyphehane to Virgin Media Park on the Tramore Rd, where one of their vehicles, which had been stolen previously, crashed and the driver fled the scene.

The man who was being chased was injured, suffering a suspected broken arm.

Superintendent Gary McPolin said: “The frightening aspect of this is that children playing on the streets or a person walking on a footpath or a person driving their car could have been seriously injured or fatally injured because of these individuals and their recklessness and their complete disrespect for a normal civic life and for the people living in the area.” 

Gardaí attended the scene of a road traffic road collision outside Virgin Media Park, Tramore Road in Ballyphehane on the evening of Tuesday, August 4. Photo supplied by Red FM

Gardaí received reports that two vehicles were being driven erratically in the area around Virgin Media Park at 8.08pm on Tuesday. 

The occupants of the vehicles were wearing face coverings and masks.

A black Hyundai Tucson, which had been stolen from Cobh and was being driven under false driving plates, crashed at the entrance gate to Virgin Media Park.

The Tramore Road entrance to Virgin Media Park, Ballyphehane, was damaged in the wake of the crash. Picture: Alex Cunningham

Injured man seen on Pearse Rd

Gardaí received a report at about 8.30pm of an injured man walking along Pearse Rd, Ballyphehane.

The man, who was bleeding, is believed to have been followed by two suspects dressed in dark clothing.

Gardaí believe he had been assaulted after being chased to the Virgin Media Park area.

The suspects are understood to have fled the scene in a dark-coloured Audi.

The injured man was taken to hospital for treatment for a number of injuries.

Gardaí believe the violence on Tuesday evening may be linked to a series of incidents involving criminal damage, including suspected arson attacks on property and vehicles at Pearse Rd and at a separate address in Brookwood, Ballyphehane, in May.

The scene on Tuesday was described as “organised mayhem" by a source.

Gardaí are harvesting CCTV and are calling for witnesses or anyone with video footage from the area on Tuesday evening to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to freephone the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.

Garda Headquarters said in a statement that officers attended the scene of a road traffic collision on Tramore Rd, Togher, on Tuesday.

"The single vehicle collision involved a car and occurred shortly before 8.30pm, it said in a statement.

"No injuries were reported. Enquiries are ongoing."

• Liz Dunphy, Southern Correspondent