Thomas Gould (Cork North-Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We will go back to another area where the Government is failing. In Cork city, figures show that there are 26 fewer gardaí compared with the end of 2023 and a staggering 61 fewer gardaí compared with two years ago. At the same time, over the past 12 months, burglaries, thefts and extortion have increased by 53% in the southern region. Last year, my constituency was subjected to a terrifying ordeal involving numerous petrol bombs, shootings and attacks on innocent homes where people were mistakenly identified. We saw what happened to people in the past who were terrorised for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. People are scared and the one thing they want to see is gardaí on the streets so they know there is someone there keeping an eye out and making sure there is law and order. People deserve to be safe in their homes.

Blackstone Rovers pitch in Fairfield, next to Cathedral Celtic, was destroyed by scramblers. Brave volunteers are doing brilliant work in the community, but the reality is young people who destroy property with their scramblers and bikes know there are no gardaí around and the chances of being caught are very limited. Therefore, they feel they can do whatever they want. We need community gardaí on the ground. We have seen the same happen in Glenthorn Celtic, Ballincollig AFC and Knocknaheeny Celtic. It goes right across the city and is not confined to one area. We want more gardaí supporting clubs and volunteers.

The Garda stations in Ballincollig, Blarney and Glanmire need to be open for longer. I am calling for extra resources, gardaí and civilian staff to make sure that happens. We need gardaí on the ground. The gardaí we have are doing a brilliant job; we just do not have enough of them in Cork.

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