Guns and grenades on the northside bring scenes of horror to innocent people in Cork

Even before Helen McEntee arrived in Cork on Thursday to launch a victim support service, violent incidents have been exacerbating simmering tensions in the city

Helen McEntee's arrival in the city to launch a victim support service was soundtracked by the ominous sound of the Garda helicopter hovering over Cork's northside amid growing tensions. Picture: Brendan Gleeson/PA

As the Garda helicopter hovered over Cork’s northside on Thursday, life went on as normal for the city’s inhabitants.

But underneath the veil of commuter traffic, children playing in schoolyards, and people doing their grocery shopping were the pangs of worry, fear, and concern that the incidents involving guns and grenades in the past fortnight would continue to blight the locality.