Gardaí mount patrols on Cork city buses: Knife crime and violent incidents raise concerns

GARDAÍ are mounting patrols on Cork city buses that have been identified as 'trouble routes' following a number of violent incidents and concerns around knife crime.
Chief Superintendent Barry McPolin said gardaí in the city are working closely with Bus Eireann and have begun patrols on a number of problem bus routes.
It follows a recent stabbing of a teenager in Carrigaline, a mass brawl in Mount Oval in Rochestown, and a fracas on the main street in Ballincollig.
In the Mount Oval incident, it's believed young people travelled on buses to engage in organised fighting.
A person has been charged in relation to the Carrigline stabbing, where the public bus route was also used, while other teens have been interviewed and a file is being prepared for DPP.
Chif Supt McPolin said a new city centre street crime unit will be effective in tackling anti-social behaviour and knife crime.
"We want to make Cork a safe city and want to clamp down on anti-social behaviour, including knife crime."

Last year, there were more than 140 seizures of knives, shivs and other such weapons made by gardaí in Cork, up from 130 the previous year.