Cork next in line for high-visibility policing as Garda Commissioner expands Dublin model

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly says Cork will be next to adopt the Dublin-style high-visibility policing model after proven success

Cork will be the next city to implement increased high-visibility policing. Picture Dan Linehan

Cork will be the next city to implement increased high-visibility policing, similar to the recent initiative in Dublin, Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly has said.

Commissioner Kelly, appointed on September 1, told the Oireachtas Justice Committee today that the Dublin City Centre High-Visibility Policing Initiative has been a success.

He said detections of anti-social behaviour have risen by 18%, drunkenness by 67%, and drugs for sale or supply by 3%.

“Many crimes are down such as theft from person, robbery from an establishment, begging and assaults causing harm,” Mr Kelly said.

Gardaí are now considering where to expand the programme within Dublin, and the force has decided to replicate it in other cities and large towns.

“Cork city will be next,” the commissioner said.

“It is resource intensive, so when we introduce high visibility, it must be sustainable,” he said. “This is not for a weekend or a particular time of the year; it is for the full year.”

He said efforts will also focus on further suppressing rural crime, which remains relatively low.

A key measure includes the appointment of Fermoy-based Superintendent Michael Corbett as Ireland’s first Rural Crime Lead, tasked with tackling rural crime and supporting communities.

Meeting the Government’s commitment to recruit 5,000 gardaí over the next five years will also be a major focus, he said.

As of September 30, there were 14,325 gardaí and 3,650 civilian staff in the force, Mr Kelly said.

An additional 190 gardaí will be assigned to stations nationwide from Friday.

“There are now 200 more Gardaí than this time last year, and our pipeline for growth this year and next is also strong," he said.

“Over 220 Garda trainees will enter the College on Monday week – this is our biggest class in the last 10 years.”

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly addresses Tuesday's disorder in a statement to the media at Garda Headquarters in Dublin. Picture: Cillian Sherlock/PA Wire

By the end of 2025, the number of trainees entering the Garda College will have reached 800, he said.

More than 11,000 people applied to the two garda recruitment competitions this year, he added.

He also said the current resignation rate of 1% “is well below other police services and the private sector.”

Commissioner Kelly said supporting gardaí with better protective equipment, training, and vehicles will be another key priority during his tenure.

Investment in equipment and training has increased significantly since the Dublin riots of November 2023, he said.

This includes stronger incapacitant spray and helmets for all front-line gardaí, as well as the rollout of body cameras in Dublin, Limerick, and Waterford.

Larger spray canisters and round shields have been procured for public order units, and water cannons have been purchased, he said.

“We saw the immense benefit of this investment recently at City West,” Mr Kelly said.

He praised gardaí who responded to the recent Citywest riots for their “professionalism, dedication and bravery […] in dealing with the significant and sustained violence against them at the Citywest complex.

"On those two nights, An Garda Síochána showed how it will not tolerate such thuggery, and our determination to keep people and communities safe from those who seek to undermine our democratic and peaceful society."

Mr Kelly said gardaí have “never had a larger fleet of vehicles,” with over €85m invested in the fleet since 2020.

“I am determined to ensure Gardaí have the tools, equipment and skills they need to do their jobs effectively and protect themselves, particularly given the recent rise in abhorrent attacks on Gardaí for simply doing their jobs," he said.