Increased garda presence in Cork city pushing drug users out to suburbs

Additional gardaí in the city centre have pushed drug users out into the suburbs, with the Taoiseach acknowleding that residents in Ballyphehane and Turner’s Cross are “concerned and anxious” due to an increase in drug use there.

Last November, 23 gardaí were assigned to the city’s new high-visibility policing plan, and businesses in the city centre have since commented that the streets feel a lot safer.

Joe Curtin, chair of Turners Cross Community Association and a youth support worker, said: “When the extra garda patrols started in the city centre, this issue moved to the suburbs.”

He said that he has seen an increase of people in addiction in the area.

Needles

“I’ve spoken to members of the community who have seen people using drugs including injecting. The needles will be left in the ground which is dangerous for children and dogs.

“The community is really angry about it, they’re activating including setting up a new Facebook group called Turner’s Cross Says No to Drugs. We don’t want it to get to an extent where someone takes things into their own hands.”

“It shouldn’t be just seen as a crime thing, it should be dealt with from a holistic, health point of view, because these people need support.

“I think an increase in prevention work is needed. I work as a youth worker, I’ve seen an increase in young people vaping cannabis.”

Increased

Cork Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice said there has been increased public drug use in Ballyphehane and Turner’s Cross, and needles have been found at bus stops, playgrounds, and schools.

“Everyone deserves to feel safe in their communities and this is currently not the case for too many people,” he said.

He added that gardaí are increasing patrols, and the HSE Needle Exchange is collecting needles after he engaged with them. “While this is welcome, the reality is that this activity will simply be pushed around our city until a proper solution is found and further supports and services are provided.”

Mr Rice said a drug injection facility in the city centre was the solution. The Dublin facility which opened in December 2024 is nearly finished its 18-month pilot project, at which point Government will assess if a similar one should be opened in Cork.

He raised the issue in the Dáil last this week, with Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who said: “There is an issue here, of that there is no doubt.

Concern

“I have been in touch with the gardaí on the specifics of the areas the deputy has identified, because there is a lot of concern and anxiety among residents.” 

However, he denied the problem was due to Government policy.

Independent councillor Paudie Dineen said that in residential areas on the southside of the city such as Greenmount, Douglas St, White’s Cross, and others, “there were gangs of individuals hanging around on corners and in nooks and crannies, intimidating residents”.

“Visible garda patrols do work, but it will be moved on and go to some other area.”