Gang violence spoils visit to Cork

HAVING visited Cork recently, I was struck by the beauty of the place, the energy and enthusiasm of the young people and the general buzz and happy feeling around.

One is struck by the beautiful churches and the loyalty and support people have for their places of worship.

So it came as a shock, when returning from the theatre, we came across a group of young men attacking each other on the public street. I wondered where were their parents. It seemed as if two rival gangs had met. I was horrified by the viciousness shown and their seeming hatred of each other and their desire to really hurt one another.