'Absolute bedlam': Crosshaven shopowner calls for more Gardaí in village over summer

The owner of a shop in one of Cork’s most picturesque harbour areas has called for a greater garda presence during the summer months, recalling a day last year when “there was absolute bedlam in the village”.

Alex Barry, owner of Barry’s Centra in Crosshaven, told last week’s annual Carrigaline and Crosshaven Garda Community Forum meeting that there had been unruly scenes on June 25 of last year when revellers descended on the village.

“It was a typical day when the sun shines, and people wake up and say: ‘I’m going to head to the nearest beach to the city’, which is Myrtleville or Fountainstown, accessed via Crosshaven,” 

Mr Barry said. “They go to the beach, tensions begin to flare at the beach, and they come back to the square, ultimately to get the bus, to get a bag of chips.

“People had been drinking, and many of them came into my store, caused trouble, robbed the store because it’s grand — they’ll be on the bus back to the city before the guards arrive.

“On this day in particular there was absolute bedlam in the village, because I think there was a concert on in the Marquee at the time, and that’s a point I would warn against. If there’s a concert, Munster Championship, that sort of thing, the resources are drawn away.”

Mr Barry said he was anxious not to portray Crosshaven in a negative light, as he believed it could be “the Kinsale of the future”, but said that he and his staff should feel safe in their place of employment.

“As the village becomes more popular, we need to see a more visible garda presence to help keep Crosshaven a beautiful and safe place to visit,” he said.

Mr Barry’s remarks were made in the context of growing disquiet at speculation around amalgamating garda units covering neighbouring areas such as Carrigaline and Douglas, and Ballincollig and Bishopstown.