Mary Lou McDonald has called on the Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan to come into the Dáil and make a statement on the current crisis in Garda resourcing in Cork City.

Speaking in the Dáil the Sinn Féin President said:

“Yesterday I visited Cork City with my colleagues Jonathan O’Brien and Thomas Gould. We heard first-hand the impact of the lack of Garda resources on communities in the City Centre.

“Reports last week showed just two Gardaí were available for patrol one night in Cork earlier this year.

“We know Gardaí lack the resources to deal with the ever-growing problem of heroin in the city.

“Today we learn that specially-trained Gardaí cannot take up their positions in a promised sexual offences investigation unit in West Cork because there are no extra personnel to replace them on the frontline.

“Communities like those in Cork City have a right to live in safety and to feel secure in their homes.

“Today I called on the Minister for Justice to come into the Dáil and make a statement on the crisis in Cork. I also called on the Taoiseach to meet with the Garda Commissioner in this regard.

“This is an issue that has been raised on numerous occasions by Sinn Féin yet to date the government has offered nothing constructive. Doing nothing is not an option. 

“The government must accept the requirement for urgent action and bring forward solutions without delay.”