Council to engage with Gardaí over proposal for kiosk in city centre

Cork City Council is to engage with gardaí about them setting up a hub from a vacant council kiosk at the end of the South Mall and Grand Parade.

Fine Gael’s Damian Boylan tabled a motion at a council meeting this week proposing that the local authority explores the feasibility of offering one of the kiosks on Grand Parade for use by An Garda Síochána as a dedicated city centre base.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr Boylan said he believed such a facility would "enhance the perception of safety in the city centre".

“This initiative would replicate the successful presence of the garda van in the city centre over the Christmas period, providing a highly visible garda presence. 

“The kiosk would serve as a point of contact for the public to report crime, seek assistance, and enhance the perception of safety in the city centre.

“Additionally, it would act as a deterrent to criminal activity and contribute positively to the overall security and well-being of city centre users," he said. 

Niall Ó Donnabháin, director of the council’s planning and integrated development directorate, told Mr Boylan that the potential use of the currently unoccupied kiosk is under consideration, saying: 

“Cork City Council will engage with An Garda Síochána to assess the feasibility of the proposal as set out in this motion and revert to the committee.” 

The wider issue of the safety in the city was also discussed at the meeting, with Fianna Fáil councillor Seán Martin proposing that Cork City Council in unison with other Government agencies and elected reps “formulate a plan to take back the city centre”.

Mr Ó Donnabháin said that a dedicated directorate for the city centre has been established, “and a number of initiatives are underway which will make positive differences such as the revitalisation of the city streets”.

He added: “The Cork Futures Group is being established to shape a City Strategy and Delivery Programme.” 

Several councillors shared concerning things they had seen recently, with Fine Gael’s Des Cahill saying a woman approached him as she was being followed, and was “shaking with fear, and this was at 4.15 in the afternoon”.

Mr Martin's motion was passed, but Labour’s John Maher, Social Democrats’ Niamh O’Connor and People Before Profit-Solidarity’s Brian McCarthy queried the wording of it, asking who the city centre had to be taken back from.

Ms O’Connor said: “We really need to look at those social issues that are causing people to be out on the street. This council doesn’t work for any one group of people, we’re supposed to work for everybody.” 

Mr McCarthy said that the motion “implies a criminalization of mental illness and poverty”, and that elderly people being afraid to visit the city was due to “sensationalism”, saying Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael councillors were “damaging the reputation of our city, damaging the livelihood of city traders and instilling fear in elderly people”.