Calls to ‘take back Cork city centre’ spark heated debate on crime and public safety

Cork City councillors clash over whether the city centre is unsafe, with some demanding urgent action and others accusing colleagues of fearmongering

Solidarity Cllr Brian McCarthy said the image of the city becoming more dangerous — that it’s awash with drugs and violence — is just not true. Picture: Larry Cummins

Parts of Cork city centre have become dangerous no-go areas, a meeting of Cork City Council was told, as councillors clashed over calls for new measures “to take back the city centre.”

Fianna Fáil Cllr Seán Martin led the calls at the May meeting of Cork City Council on Monday, with a motion urging the council to work with other government agencies and elected representatives to formulate a plan “to take back the city centre.”