Cork community starts petition calling for increased gardaí

HUNDREDS of concerned residents have signed an online petition calling for more gardaí and longer opening hours at the garda station in the Douglas and Rochestown area following a spate of incidents in recent days.

Residents across Rochestown and surrounding areas met earlier this week to discuss their concerns following several assaults.

As well as the petition to call for increased garda resources, there is also a plan to establish a community patrol in the area.

The actions come after the assault of a man in his 60s who was walking home from his wife’s grave on Saturday night.

A 17-year-old was also reportedly attacked on Saturday and suffered a number of injuries to his nose and chest.

Meanwhile, on Friday night, Bus Eireann suspended the 216 bus at Maryborough Hill due to anti-social behaviour, while another alleged assault on a teen is believed to have taken place at the entrance to the Mount Oval estate.

A Rochestown resident told The Echo that there are plans in motion and willing volunteers to establish a community patrol and create a petition calling for increased garda presence in the area.

The petition received almost 400 signatures in the first 24 hours.

Local Councillor Mary Rose Desmond told The Echo this week that Douglas Garda station recently lost its community garda and a sergeant, while the station is only open sporadically.

“Douglas Garda station has no set opening hours and a shortage of gardaí,” said the resident who set up the petition.

“There are tens of thousands of residents in Douglas, Rochestown, Carrigaline and surrounding areas and we are being let down with very little garda presence in the area.

“Carrigaline Garda Station has no set hours either,” she said.

“As a result, there has been an increase in crime and anti-social behaviour.

“Residents no longer feel safe in their homes and locals have reported avoiding walking to the shops for fear of being targeted.

“There have been a number of serious assaults.

“Our children are at risk.

“It has to stop now.” The resident added that everyone in the area had had enough.

“We demand an increase in patrol gardaí, community gardaí and more open hours at our local stations.”