Calls for more high visibility policing in Cork city suburbs

High visibility policing patrols were promised to parts of Cork city’s suburbs, but gardaí have refused to confirm if extra resources are to be provided to enable this.

Last November, 48 gardaí were assigned to the city centre as a high-visibility policing plan was launched, with patrolling from 8am to 4am in 11 areas.

Businesses in the city centre have since commented that the streets feel a lot safer, but community groups and public representatives in the suburbs say the measures just pushed the problems out to their residential areas.

There have been reports of open drug taking and dealing, as well as an increase of discarded needles and other drug paraphernalia in South Parish, Ballyphehane, and Turner’s Cross.

Mother of two Margo McCarthy recently said a greater garda presence in Mahon might have prevented the unprovoked attack on her teenage sons, while they were walking home, that left them traumatised, with one suffering severe facial injuries and a concussion.

It comes as the number of gardaí in Blackrock station, which covers the Mahon area, is less than half what it was 15 years ago.

Labour councillor for the area Peter Horgan wrote to gardaí in light of the attack and other incidents like “random fires being lit in a public park”, seeking a high visibility policing plan for the area.

Planning to increase patrols

He received a response on behalf of Inspector Colm Noonan, the Garda chief superintendent for Cork city, saying he “is currently planning to increase Garda visibility and patrols in the Blackrock/Mahon area.”

The Echo asked An Garda Síochána if there are there similar plans for increased Garda patrols in other areas of Cork city suburbs, and which areas if so, as well as if additional gardaí will be provided for these plans.

A Garda spokesperson said: “This matter is under review in the Cork City Division at this time. No further detail can be provided until it is finalised.”

Mr Horgan told The Echo: “High visibility policing isn’t something that needs to be confined to the city centre.

“There are communities surrounding the city centre that need this high visibility and specific allocations which all elected representatives have been seeking for years. Whatever deterrents can be utilised to criminal behaviour in both our city and suburbs need to be utilised.

“We shouldn’t forget we are the second city of this State and Garda numbers should reflect that reality of population.”