'I always feel safe here': Cork residents have their say on knife crime

Steven Grant and David Hong, both 16, have noticed an increase in the numbers of people carrying knives. Pictures: Chani Anderson

Justice Minister Helen McEntee has announced harsh new penalties for knife possession in public, trespassing with a knife, and using a knife to intimidate. 

The Irish Examiner asked members of the public in Cork whether knife crime was something that concerned them, and whether Cork feels safe.

David Hong, aged 16, from Maryborough: “It is definitely more dangerous at night — even though I don’t go out at night, it is [knife crime] definitely something I would be worried about.

Evelyn Toal loves her home city of Cork but felt very nervous on a recent trip to Dublin. 

Evelyn Toal, aged 76: "Cork is my city so I always feel safe here. I have always lived here for 76 years. It is [knife crime] getting worse. I was in Dublin last year and it was so bad that I came back to Cork and said ‘there’s no problem in Cork'.” 

Steven Grant, aged 16, from Maryborough:  “I’m originally from London — over there it is [knife crime] much worse. I’ve come here [Cork] and it was nice at first, but it feels like déjà vu because it is the same thing all over again."

Lauren Hogan, originally from Canada, would be more wary at night but generally feels very safe in Cork. 

Lauren Hogan, from Canada: “I feel safe everywhere except for maybe at night time sometimes."

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Bus driver Kieran Kavanagh is aware of the increase in knife crime but says he just gets on with his job as best he can.

Kieran Kavanagh, Bus Éireann bus driver: “As a driver, you would be wary of it, but you have to get on with it as best we can.” 

Victor Javier, from Spain: “It is pretty safe. I feel safe walking around Ireland and around the city.”