Garda resources for Douglas area following spate of unrest

Two new community gardaí have been appointed to Douglas following recent concerns over crime and anti-social behaviour in the area.

Cork Senator Jerry Buttimer (FG) revealed that two community gardaí began their duties in Douglas on Monday morning.

He also told The Echo that the Douglas Garda Station, which had only opened sporadically in recent months, will be open from 9am to 1pm Monday to Thursday.

Meeting with gardaí to discuss the Anglesea Policing District Senator Buttimer labelled the appointment and additional opening hours as “significant developments”.

“I welcome the fact that there is now an allocation of resources to community policing and to the reopening of the Douglas Garda Station on a more frequent basis,” he said.

“It’s important to recognise that resources are an issue in terms of the need for gardaí so it is important that the Garda Commissioner recognises that Cork city does require more gardaí.

“It’s vital that Cork receives its fair share of gardaí and resources and I would be calling on the commissioner to ensure that, in the new tranche of recruits, key personnel are appointed to Cork,” he added.

The appointments come after a spate of incidents in the Douglas Rochestown area including the assault of a man in his 60s who was walking home from his wife’s grave in recent weeks.

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

Meanwhile, the night before the attacks, 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.

The incidents led to calls from residents for increased gardaí and resources in the area.

More than 70 members of the local community and some from further afield met at Mount Oval Bar in recent weeks to discuss their concerns.

The meeting heard incidents of antisocial behaviour, underage drinking and intimidation from teens in the locality and gangs from further afield.