Crime stats soar as garda numbers lag

Burglary and robbery offences in Cork city increased significantly last year according to new figures.

Data published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) shows that burglary was up 38% and robbery was up 55% last year compared to 2022.

Commenting on the alarming figures, Sinn Féin local area representative for Ballincollig and candidate in Cork City South West, Joe Lynch, said it is vital that gardaí on Leeside have the resources they need to put criminals behind bars.

“Cork city is consistently being left behind when it comes to the allocation of new gardaí and it is clear that additional resources are needed,” said Mr Lynch.

“The fact that Cork city has gotten one additional garda in each of the last two allocations is scandalous,” he added.

Currently, Ballincollig Garda Station opens from 2-5pm on Sundays; 10am-1pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays; 2-5pm on Thursdays, and is closed on Fridays and Saturdays.

Mr Lynch continued: “In Ballincollig, we have a garda station that opens for a grand total of 15 hours a week, if we're lucky, and which is closed on two of the busiest days of the week.

“It is little wonder that the feeling on the ground is that there is less visible policing in the community,” he added.

Last month, a motion by Sinn Féin calling for a fair allocation of gardaí for Cork was passed during a meeting of Cork City Council.

“It is time that our concerns were listened to and for the Government to move heaven and earth to ensure gardaí in Cork have all of the resources they need to tackle the increases in the types of crime we are witnessing,” said Mr Lynch.

“The people of Cork deserve no less,” he concluded.