Explainer: Gardai attend “riot” in Cork after gunshots fired over the weekend

Gardaí are searching for the guns following reports of a shot being during an altercation after 3.30pm on Sunday. It's understood they are looking for a shotgun type weapon.

The shooting is the culmination of weeks of tension between two rival groups.

Armed response gardaí responded following calls about a "riot" in the Spring Lane area of Ballyvolane in the northside of the city. A standoff between the two groups began between Saturday and Sunday.

Two men were hospitalised following the incident with injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening. One man is expected to have surgery in the coming days.

It follows two days of in-fighting between feuding groups in the area. Social media videos show men, women and children fighting at a halting site using farming equipment like scythes and shovels during the incident.

Videos taken from inside a property show young children screaming in fear.

There have been a number of incidents over recent months related to the ongoing feud.

Incidents have ranged from vandalism of property and cars to more serious assaults.

"Gardaí and emergency services responded to reports of a discharge of a firearm near Ballyvolane Road, Cork city" a garda statement said yesterday(Sunday).

A garda spokesperson said that "two males are receiving treatment for injuries believed to be non-life-threatening at this time".

Gardaí said that there is "no further information available at this time".

Separately, gardaí responded to reports of a public order incident involving a group of individuals near Ballyvolane Road at around 3:30pm the same day.

Upon the arrival of gardai, those involved dispersed from the scene.

Gardaí said investigations into both incidents are ongoing.