Security cost Cork University Hospital €9.3m over past two years

Cork University Hospital (CUH) spent almost €9.3m on security over the past two years.

It was one of six of the country’s biggest hospitals which spent a combined €42m on safety measures, amid growing concern over antisocial behaviour and violence.

The hospitals also logged hundreds of calls to An Garda Síochána as they dealt with public order and safety incidents.

CUH spent almost €9.3m over the same period, according to data released under the Freedom of Information Act.

Meanwhile, St James’s Hospital in Dublin had the highest recorded spend at almost €11m across 2024 and 2025, including more than €2.1m on patient-monitoring security officers.

University Hospital Galway recorded security costs of around €8.5m, with bills rising significantly in 2025.

Beaumont Hospital in Dublin spent almost €3.6m over the past two years to help keep its campus safe.

Spending on security at CUH was €4.19m in 2024, with a further €5.1m spent in 2025.

The hospital said it was not possible to provide details on the number of times gardaí were called, saying the query was “too broad”.