Councillor calls for balaclava ban in Cork parks to tackle antisocial behaviour

A Cork city councillor has proposed a balaclava ban for parks after a spate of antisocial behaviour in his local area.

Labour’s Peter Horgan has previously sought more gardaí and a CCTV scheme for the Mahon/Blackrock area, but no new probationer gardaí were assigned to Cork at the latest graduation, and data protection issues are proving a roadblock to camera installation.

He has now proposed a measure the council can implement itself without needing outside bodies — update its public parks bylaws to reflect the Criminal Law, Civil Law and Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026, including provisions to prohibit the wearing of balaclavas where they are being used to conceal a person’s identity in the course of criminal or anti-social behaviour.

The national bill passed by the Oireachtas on July 2 allows for gardaí to require removal of face coverings where they reasonably suspect a covering is worn to intimidate others or to conceal identity and facilitate or hinder the investigation of an offence.

Mr Horgan said: “Families should be able to bring their children to a playground, enjoy a walk, or use their local amenities without having to worry about intimidation, criminal damage, or antisocial behaviour.

“Where balaclavas are being used to conceal identities while people engage in criminal or antisocial behaviour, we need to examine every lawful measure available to address that problem.

“We need to ensure our public spaces are protected and that those engaging in criminal behaviour cannot simply rely on concealing their identity to avoid being held accountable,” Mr Horgan said.

He concluded: “We have seen the frustration that comes when playgrounds are vandalised, public facilities are damaged and residents are left asking what is being done about it.”