CORK CITY – An immediate and permanent increase in Garda presence has been deployed across Cork city centre this week, following the launch of a new high-visibility policing plan supported by the allocation of 48 additional Gardaí to the Cork City Division.
The move, effective immediately, is aimed at significantly increasing public reassurance, tackling anti-social behaviour, and reducing city-centre crime rates.
Permanent Policing Initiative
This permanent high-visibility plan differs from previous temporary operations, such as those during the Christmas period. It is supported by an influx of 36 probationer Gardaí and additional transfers, bringing a total of 48 new personnel to the division.
- Operating Times: Patrols will be maintained between 8:00 AM and 4:00 AM daily.
- Deployment: A total of 23 Gardaí are assigned to the operation every day (11 during daytime hours and 12 at night).
- Strategic Beats: Eleven high-visibility posts/beats have been strategically selected based on input from local communities, businesses, and Garda crime data. Gardaí will be constantly present at these posts during operating hours.
The initiative has a key focus on policing public order offences, anti-social behaviour, drug dealing, aggressive begging, and shoplifting. Authorities have confirmed a pro-arrest policy will be employed for recidivist offenders.
Business Community Welcomes Change
The Cork Business Association (CBA) expressed strong support for the permanent change. CBA President Dave O’Brien welcomed the initiative, noting that the association had campaigned for years for a sustained, visible Garda presence.
Mr. O’Brien anticipates that the increased visibility will:
- Reduce Crime: Lead to a decrease in retail thefts and other related crimes.
- Improve Safety Perception: Address the “perception in Cork city before that people weren’t feeling safe,” encouraging more footfall and boosting businesses.
“We see it during Christmas every year and now it will be an all-year-round thing — businesses are delighted,” he stated.
Drawing on Dublin’s Success
The decision to roll out the plan was influenced by the significant results achieved through a similar high-visibility initiative in Dublin. New Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly recently detailed the results, which included:
| Offence Category | Impact |
| Theft from a person | Down 28% |
| Robbery from an establishment | Down 9% |
| Begging | Down 57% |
| Assaults causing harm | Down 17% |
| Antisocial behaviour detections | Up 18% |
| Drunkenness detections | Up 67% |
Authorities in Cork, including Chief Superintendent Thomas Myers, look forward to similar positive outcomes, particularly in the lead-up to Christmas. Southern Region Assistant Garda Commissioner Eileen Foster added that the patrols “offer public reassurance that public realms and amenities in Cork city centre are, and continue to be, safe places to live, visit, socialise, conduct business and enjoy.”
Foot patrols will be supported by the Garda Public Order Unit, the Garda Roads Policing Unit, and both detective and plainclothes Gardaí.
