Call for special meeting of Cork City Council following Ballyvolane incidents 

There has been a call for a special meeting of Cork City Council to address concerns around criminal activity after gardaí attended multiple incidents in the Spring Lane area of Ballyvolane over the weekend, including the discharge of a firearm.

On Saturday, a garda helicopter and several gardaí responded to a public order incident in the area, while armed response gardaí responded on Sunday following calls about a ‘riot’.

Two men were hospitalised - one is understood to have suffered a bullet wound, while the other has injuries caused by pellets, though neither man is believed to have sustained life-threatening injuries.

A garda spokesperson told The Echo: “Gardaí and emergency services responded to reports of a discharge of a firearm at a location on Ballyvolane Road, Cork city on Sunday afternoon.

“Two males are receiving hospital treatment for injuries believed to be non-life threatening.

“Separately, Gardaí responded to reports of a public order incident involving a group of individuals near Ballyvolane Road, Cork city, on Saturday at approximately 3:30pm.

“Upon their arrival, those involved dispersed from the scene.” The spokesperson added: “Investigations into both incidents are ongoing.” 

Specific queries by The Echo as to whether any arrests have been made or if a garda presence will remain on site were not responded to.

A small garda presence by way of an armed response jeep slowly patrolling the area at intervals, was in place on Monday morning.

Labour’s John Maher, who lives in Ballyvolane, called on Sunday night for the convening of a special meeting of Cork City Council to address concerns around criminal activity and the impact it is having on communities.

He said: “People are entitled to feel safe in their own communities. Where criminal activity is continuing, we cannot simply accept it as the new normal.

“Residents are understandably frustrated and want to know what is being done, what more can be done, and how the council and relevant State agencies can work together to tackle the problem.” 

A special meeting should examine the response to persistent incidents and areas of concern, the role of the council and gardaí and look at measures that can be taken to improve safety as well as what additional resources or interventions may be required, he said.