Ballincollig councillors have cautiously welcomed the news that Garda station opening times across the city are to be reviewed.
The review was announced at a briefing by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to councillors in City Hall last week.
Ballincollig Garda Station staff shortages mean that it is not always open for the official 15 hours a week, local councillors say.
Labour Party councillor Laura Harmon said that it was simply not fair to the people of Ballincollig that they do not have a full-time Garda station.
Fianna Fáil councillor Colm Kelleher said it was currently “pot luck” as to whether or not a member of the public in Ballincollig would get a garda in the station “at any point during the week”.
“Hopefully, a review will bring longer opening hours,” Mr Kelleher said.
Sinn Féin councillor Joe Lynch said that despite the work of local gardaí, the strong feeling on the streets and within the community was that policing was less visible.
“I welcome the commitment given by the divisional chief superintendent to review station opening hours across Cork city, including Ballincollig,” Mr Lynch said.
Fine Gael councillor Garret Kelleher said that Ballincollig’s population was approaching 25,000 now and that it was likely to continue to grow.
“Macroom, with a population less than one-fifth of Ballincollig’s, and, as a district headquarters, has a Garda station open 24/7,” he said. “Ballincollig needs and warrants a service that is on a par with this.”
Social Democrats general election candidate Ciarán McCarthy said the current opening hours at Ballincollig Garda Station often meant that local people had to travel to Togher to find a garda.
Rachel Moyo, Isabel Rea-Duggan and Sophie Turnbull with their Junior Certificate results at Le Chéile Secondary School, Ballincollig. Twenty seven students completed the examination and received their results at the school last week. Picture: Larry Cummins
Call for street collectors
Volunteers are needed this Friday to support the Mercy Hospital Heroes street collection in Ballincollig.
The appeal is to help teens and young-adult patients who require extra support and care while going through treatment.
The collection will run from 10am to 3pm on Friday, October 18. For further information, contact Kim Clifford on 087 9002300. If you can spare an hour of your time, you might change a young person’s life.
Anyone who might like to raise funds for Mercy University Hospital, or bring Mercy Hospital Heroes to their workplace, school, or home, is asked to contact Deirdre at (021) 4274076, or via email at deirdre@mercyhospital foundation.ie.
‘Pedestrian crossing needed’
A Ballincollig councillor is calling for a pedestrian crossing to be installed at Flynn’s Cross in Ballincollig’s West Village.
Sinn Féin councillor Joe Lynch told The Echo he intended to bring a motion on the issue to last night’s council meeting.
“Flynn’s Cross has gone from a quiet crossing to a very busy junction over the years, especially since the construction of An Caisleán estate, yet there has been no accompanying improvement to pedestrian facilities,” Mr Lynch said.
He said visibility at the junction can be poor for pedestrians and motorists alike.
“It is an issue that’s raised with me every time I visit An Caisleán and other estates in the West Village.
“The crossing is in urgent need of improvement, and I will bring a motion to the Council seeking a long-term, safe resolution to the issue,” he said.
Vintage car club on the road for the last run of the year
The Ballincollig Vintage Motor Club will be on the road for its final run of the season on Sunday, heading for Clonakilty.
The run will start at the Killumney Inn at 11.30am, preceded by registration from 10.15am.
Registration is €20, and all cars must be more than 20 years old. The run will stop at Clonakilty for refreshments, before heading for home, via “a slightly different route”.
This Sunday’s run is sponsored by R&R Tyres.
Alzheimer café to open this Thursday at Chapel Gate
The next Ballincollig Alzheimer Café will be held on Thursday, October 17, from 4pm to 6pm in the Chapel Gate Café.
Alzheimer cafés provide a welcoming space for people with dementia, their family and friends, and social and healthcare professionals to meet and to exchange ideas.
The Ballincollig Alzheimer Café takes place on the third Thursday of each month and follows an international model, usually opening in the early evening, providing light refreshments and a mix of education and support.
Each month, an expert speaker discusses a topic of interest, and the café is also a safe space to chat and enjoy a social occasion.
For further information, contact Karen Fitzpatrick on 087 3487511, or email Karen at ballincolligalzheimercafe@alzheimer.ie.
Pupils collecting their Junior Certificate results at Le Chéile Secondary School, Ballincollig, last week. They were the first year to complete the examination at the school. Picture: Larry Cummins
Crochet club to meet
The Ballincollig Crochet Club meets every Wednesday evening at 7pm in the Tesco Community Room.
Sessions usually run until around 8.30pm.
The message on the club’s Facebook page is: “Everyone is welcome. No fee to pay. Meet like-minded people who are passionate about yarn, patterns, knitting and crochet. So grab your yarn and needles and join us. FYI: It’s not a teaching class.”
Scoil Eoin open night
Now enrolling for the 2025 academic year, Ballincollig’s oldest primary school is holding its annual open night this evening, Tuesday, October 15, from 6pm to 7.30pm.
Call Scoil Eoin on 021 4871321, or email scoileoin.com, or see scoileoinballincollig.ie.
Ballincollig GAA Club lottery
The numbers drawn in the weekly Ballincollig GAA Club lottery on Thursday, October 10, were: 11, 20, 27, and 30.
With the club’s lottery jackpot at €20,000, the draw is the highest amount it can reach and must be won. There was no winner last week, and consolation prizes went to Patrick Tippins (€100), Mick Dwyer (€50), and Gillian Kavanagh (€50).
The next draw will take place this week, on Thursday evening, in the clubhouse, with all proceeds going to Ballincollig GAA Club. For details on how to enter the club’s weekly draw, see Ballincollig GAA Club’s various social media pages.
Have Ballincollig news to share? Email Donal.okeeffe@theecho.ie
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