Sinn Féin TD for Cork South Central Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire has said that today’s announcement of additional Garda resources for Cork is welcome but is nowhere near what’s needed.

This comes following a sustained campaign by Sinn Féin for a fair allocation of Gardaí for Cork amid growing concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour in the city.

Teachta Ó Laoghaire was commenting after attending a meeting of the Cork Joint Policing Committee and raising the issue of Garda resources with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris.

He said:

“I have raised the issue of Garda resources in Cork with Commissioner Drew Harris on a number of occasions and have made the point that Cork is not getting a fair share of Gardaí. I raised this issue with him again today.

“Cork city has only got 2.5% of the Gardaí who have come out of Templemore since it was reopened in 2014 – an appalling figure and far below what we need.

“While I do welcome the announcement today that Cork will be allocated 24 additional Gardaí for the Christmas period, as well as 8 additional probationary Gardaí on a permanent basis, it isn’t anywhere near enough, but I know it will provide some level of reassurance to the people of Cork in the coming weeks amid growing concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour in the city.

“Sinn Féin has led the way calling for additional Garda resources in Cork and today’s announcement vindicates our campaign. This it is a step in the right direction, but we need to go much further now.

“What’s needed it to ensure that as many of these additional Gardaí remain in Cork beyond January and that Cork is assured of a strong Garda presence in the coming years.

“We are making progress, but we need to keep the pressure on for more and I intend to keep the campaign up. The people of Cork deserve no less.”