48 New Gardaí Join Cork City as High Visibility Policing Plan Launches

Cork City has received one of its largest garda allocations in years, with 48 new officers joining the division as An Garda Síochána launches a permanent high visibility policing operation across the city centre.

The allocation comprises 36 probationers and 12 transfers, representing a net gain for the Cork City Division. The new officers will support 11 designated high visibility posts and beats operating between 8am and 4am daily.

A total of 23 gardaí will be assigned to the operation each day: 11 during daytime hours and 12 at night. Locations were selected based on community feedback, business input, and Garda crime data.

The operation focuses on public order offences, anti-social behaviour, drug dealing, aggressive begging, and shoplifting, with a pro-arrest policy for repeat offenders and strong bail objections where appropriate.

Lord Mayor Cllr Fergal Dennehy welcomed the new recruits:

"We are delighted to see you out on the streets, engaging in high-visibility policing and providing a real sense of safety and reassurance to the people of this city. Your presence makes a difference.

When I was elected Lord Mayor in June, I mentioned how I wanted to work to make Cork the safest city possible. These gardaí will make Cork a safer city and I am delighted to have played a role in achieving this."

Cllr Terry Shannon, Chairman of the Cork City Local Community Safety Partnership, said:

"This is a very positive development and demonstrates the commitment of the Taoiseach to investing in policing in Cork. But we need to keep garda recruitment going and get more gardaí for communities across Cork."

Assistant Commissioner Eileen Foster of the Southern Region said:

"These high visibility foot patrols in Cork City Centre increase Garda visibility and offer public reassurance that public realms and amenities in Cork City Centre are and continue to be safe places to live, visit, socialise, conduct business and enjoy."

Chief Superintendent Thomas Myers of the Cork City Division added:

"This is an acknowledgement that Cork City needed additional resources and we look forward to high visibility patrols particularly in the build up to Christmas."

The foot patrols will be supported by the Cork City Garda Roads Policing Unit, Public Order Unit, and detective resources. Community Policing Gardaí will also deploy a Garda Community Engagement Van to locations around the city to offer crime prevention advice.