LOCALS and business people in the Bandon Road area of the city have been reacting to the shocking murder of CIT student Cameron Blair.

One man, who was on the way to collect his pension in the post office next to the crime scene, told The Echo the incident had given him a fright, while another man out walking his dog said: “He was only just back in college. It’s shocking. It’s desperate.” 

Others described the incident as both scary and heartbreaking.

A woman, who was working in a local business, said: “It’s his family and the people that saw it happen, and the damage that does. We have loads of young lads and girls coming in here all the time, all the students, happy people. No one expects that to happen.

“It’s really sad. It’s absolutely devastating. I have children myself, and if I thought something like that could happen - you’d never get over it. 

"He was only starting his life, that’s the worst part. He was out having his night. He wasn’t interfering with anyone. He was in his own place.

“You’re never safe, no matter what. No matter how you think you’re safe,” she added.

Barry Broderick, owner of Broderick's pharmacy on Barrack Street, described the incident as “senseless”, but said the area had changed in recent years.

“We have lots of broken glass, broken windows, vomit. It always happened a bit but it is worse, but I don't think it is a Barrack Street or a Bandon Road thing, I think it is a societal thing,” he said.

He criticised a lack of garda presence on the street despite the number of high-profile incidents in recent months.

Meanwhile, another man who lives in Togher but was out walking, said incidents like this are happening too frequently. 

He described it as “gruesome” but said it was the latest in a series of “heartbreaking” incidents in recent times.

“It’s happening too often. A couple of families have been destroyed. It’s heartbreaking. I’ve had videos sent on to me from what was happening inside in the house,” he told The Echo.

“It’s a lovely area, there’s a lot of old people here but all the houses are being sold now for students. 

"It’s a recipe for disaster. It’s a prime area for landlords, they can charge what they want with the college around the corner,” he added.