Cork gun victim thanks public for support

A 21-year-old woman who was shot in the neck while visiting a house in Cork city on Sunday has thanked the public for their support.

Ciara Sheehan of Ardcullen in Cork was shot in the neck in the early hours of Sunday morning as she visited her boyfriend at a house in the Hollywood estate on the northside of the city.

She was in a downstairs room of the house chatting to her boyfriend’s sister at around 1am on Sunday when there was a gunshot through the window and she was hit in the neck. She walked in to the kitchen and collapsed.

In a post on her Facebook page, Ciara said she was struggling to come to terms with the incident. However, she she said she was grateful for the assistance of friends, family and the wider community.

“I just want to say thank you to everyone for the well wishes and all the nice messages. I am finally getting there day by day. It hasn’t clicked (with) me yet but I will get there and I’m feeling a lot better. On the road to recovery now so onwards and upwards.”

Locals were left shocked on Sunday morning when Ciara emerged from the house with a bullet wound to the neck. She was rushed by car to Cork University Hospital (CUH) where she underwent surgery. Ciara is recovering from her injuries in hospital and her condition has stabilised.

It is understood the bullet was 1mm from her main artery. Her mother Susan O'Mahony and her father Joe Sheehan have been at her bedside since she came around from surgery. They have appealed to the media to give them privacy as they concentrate on the recovery of their daughter.

Ciara was not the intended target of the attack.

The Bishop of Cork and Ross, Dr John Buckley, has asked for prayers for Ciara's safe recovery. He also issued an appeal for illegally held firearms to be surrendered.

The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Chris O'Leary, has also appealed for calm in the city. He has personal experience of anti social behavior as his house in Mahon on the southside of the city was petrol bombed ten years ago. He said he hopes matters can be dealt with "peacefully and respectfully."