Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate a substantial element of this comes back to the Garda Commissioner, but there is a feeling in Cork that as new gardaí have come out of Templemore over the course of the past few years, Cork has not had a fair shake compared with the other significant urban areas. There are a number of stations - I am sure the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach can think of examples too - that are either at or below the numbers they were at seven or eight years ago, despite the fact Garda numbers have increased overall. It has to be asked how that is happening. There are challenges across the force with retention, but in most places across the country station numbers are up, even if they are marginal. In Mahon they are down very precipitously. The complement has gone from 31 down to 22 and then to 17. The area is down 14 gardaí since 2009. It is true the members are part of the same functional area, but to all intents and purposes they were effectively part of it anyway because they were part of the Anglesea Street subdistrict, so there is no real, substantial change in that. It is just that the model has slightly changed.

What has happened in the Garda district in Cork, much of which is welcome, is that there are new specialist units like the protective services unit and so on. However, the rank-and-file positions in the stations are not being backfilled as people are promoted to the new units. I am not arguing against those units, and the one I mentioned is especially valuable, but those ordinary Garda positions are not being backfilled and too many people are leaving the force. Those are the issues that combine a variety of ways here. I do not believe Cork is getting a fair shake and Mahon in particular is not. That is not fair on the community.

They feel neglected by services in lots of ways, despite the fact there is a very strong community and voluntary ethos there. There are lot of clubs, such as Ringmahon Rangers, Ballinure GAA, the family resource centre and St. Michael’s GAA, that are doing great work but they feel they are not being properly supported in terms of public services. Looking at those garda numbers reducing from 31 in 2009 to 22 in 2017 and 17 this month, it is hard to argue with that.

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