Garda investigation launched following disturbance at Cork supermarket

Gardaí are investigating after a disturbance at a grocery store on the northside of Cork city this afternoon, in scenes which were recorded and shared on social media.

The incident, which involved a number of men, some of whom were carrying and swinging what appeared to be bats or sticks, occurred at approximately 4.30pm in Hollyhill.

A garda spokesperson said gardaí attended the scene “where a large number of persons had gathered and brought the matter under control.”

Speaking to The Echo, Sinn Féin Cork North Central TD Thomas Gould said: “The ordeal that the staff and customers in SuperValu Hollyhill went through [today] was terrifying — for something like this to happen is an absolute disgrace.

“Something like this, what it does, is it puts a negative light on the area — it’s shocking.

“We need more gardaí on the ground [in Cork] — the ones that are there are doing their very best, but there’s not enough of them.

“We have a great community here, this is not a reflection of the area.”

Independent Ireland TD Ken O’Flynn said: “I am appalled by the active violence and vandalism that occurred at the SuperValu on the northside of the city.”

Investigations into the incident are ongoing.