‘Shocking’ cuts to community gardaí staff on Cork city's northside ‘not good enough’

Just one community garda was stationed at Mayfield Garda Station as of September, it has emerged.

The station covers Mayfield, Ballyvolane, and the Glen.

The figure is down from three in 2019, despite an overall increase in the number of gardaí in that role across Cork city since then.

In light of the figures, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has been urged by Sinn Féin TD Thomas Gould to increase the allocation of community gardaí on Cork’s northside in particular.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee gave a detailed breakdown of the allocation of community gardaí in Cork since 2019, when there were 32 assigned to that role in the city, in response to a Dáil question from Mr Gould.

According to figures from September 30, there are 36 community gardaí in the 13 stations in the Cork City Division — up four compared to 2019, but down from 40 in 2021.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee said community safety was not “just about the number of gardaí in communities”.

“Community safety is a whole-of-government responsibility, and it requires a multi-agency approach,” she said.

“The Government is providing significant additional resources to An Garda Síochána, including to support recruitment to community policing teams nationwide.”

However, Mr Gould described the reduction in Mayfield as a “really shocking cut in community policing”.

“I am being contacted by people who are really concerned about serious criminal activity and the potential risks for the entire community. I have written to the Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, requesting that additional community gardaí be assigned to Cork immediately for the Mayfield division.”

'POSTS BADLY NEED TO BE REPLACED'

Fianna Fáil councillor Tony Fitzgerald said that he endorsed the work of community gardaí.

“I understand that there will be another allocation of recruits before Christmas, and I am calling on the commissioner to make sure Cork gets its allocation to replace the posts that badly need to be replaced,” he said.

A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána said the force does not comment on details of numbers/members attached to specific units, adding they can vary due to a range of circumstances.

“Cork city has fully implemented the Garda operating model,” said the spokesperson.

“Mayfield Garda Station is part of the Cork City North community engagement area under the direction of a dedicated superintendent responsible for community engagement alone.

“Each district officer is responsible for ensuring that a policing capacity is available within their Garda district/community engagement area.

“These community policing frontline resources are supported by other frontline gardaí within the community engagement area, divisional roads policing, divisional detective units, regional armed support units, and, where required, national units.

“The allocation of resources is managed to ensure effective policing and public safety, and is kept under constant review by local and senior Garda management.”