Calls for increased garda patrols after woman urinates on Cork shop floor

A Cork city centre business has called for increased garda patrols following a recent public order incident in which a woman urinated on the shop floor.

Aga Deryng, owner of House of Nails on Tuckey Street, said she and her workforce “no longer feel safe working in Cork city centre”.

Her comments come following a public order incident on Thursday evening, when a visibly intoxicated woman entered the premises and requested access to the bathroom facilities.

Ms Deryng said the woman was denied access because the facilities are for clients only, prompting her to urinate on the shop floor.

Speaking to The Echo, Ms Deryng said a client called An Garda Síochána to report the incident, but no members of the force attended the scene.

Business owner calls for more patrols 

"The woman came to our premises from the direction of Bishop Lucey Park. She asked one of the staff to use the toilet but because they're for customer use, and we didn't know what she would do in there, we said no," said Ms Deryng.

"She tried to persuade staff but straight after, literally in front of our staff members and clients, she took her pants off and urinated in the middle of the floor.

"We shouldn't have to face this, it's traumatising, some of my staff are young girls and definitely didn't deserve to see that picture.

"They also had to clean it up, which is unhygienic and completely disgusting.

"A client called Anglesea Street Garda Station, but nobody showed up. There was no follow-up the following morning either to see if everyone was okay – I have since gone to the station myself to make a statement and to make them aware that nobody reached out."

Ms Deryng said this is not the first time an incident of this nature has happened within the business premises, with a previous instance of someone defecating in the shop corridor.

"We see anti-social behaviour in Bishop Lucey Park every day – people drinking or taking drugs," said Ms Deryng.

"In the last two years, one of our girls was attacked by a couple coming from the park. They tried to take her phone and she sprained her wrist. She finished her shift that night in A&E.

"This is happening all the time, and it's not fair. Not only a year ago we had to clean up faeces from inside our shop too – these people are using our premises as a public bathroom."

Concerns over Bishop Lucey Park 

Bishop Lucey Park recently underwent a €7m revamp in an effort to enhance the amenity and reduce instances of anti-social behaviour. However, Ms Deryng said it remains a constant problem in the area.

"We understand that homelessness and addiction are complex issues and that those affected need appropriate support, but people working, living, and visiting Cork city also deserve to feel safe," said Ms Deryng.

"I'm hoping people can contact the gardaí and ask for more patrols in the area, which might help to stop this behaviour."

Sinn Féin Cork North Central TD Thomas Gould, who was critical of the park's revamp at the time of its announcement, said there is "an epidemic of drug taking in Cork city".

"Bishop Lucey Park isn't a park anymore, it's a thoroughfare from the Grand Parade to Tuckey Street," said Mr Gould.

"We need to see more garda patrols in there because it's being used for drug-taking, drug selling, and for people to get intoxicated.

"What we want is a friendly, open space, but because of the presence of drugs and criminality, people don't feel safe to use it."

An Garda Síochána has been contacted for comment.