Uneven footpaths cost Cork City Council over €2m in public liability payouts

Freedom of Information records reveal most public liability payouts were linked to footpath incidents, with residents reporting repeated trip hazards

On May 18, the council received two complaints about the surface of the footpath at the corner of McCurtain Street and Patrick's Hill. Picture: Larry Cummins

Cork City Council has been warned that "countless" people are tripping and falling on footpaths along South Mall, with many of those injured described as elderly or having mobility issues.

The warning comes as new figures show the council has paid out more than €2m in public liability claims since June last year, with almost two-thirds of the total relating to footpaths.

From the beginning of June to the end of December 2025, the council paid €875,991.30 in public liability claims to 61 people. Between January 1 and July 3 this year, a further €1,203,836.97 was paid to 119 people.

While claims relating to roads were the most numerous, footpath claims accounted for the largest share of compensation paid. The average payout for a footpath-related claim was approximately €26,200, compared with just under €4,000 for claims arising from potholes or other road defects.

In total, 52 people received €1,362,775.04 in compensation for footpath-related incidents, while 105 people were paid a combined €418,354.57 for claims involving roads, including potholes.

Payouts also included €111,100 for 13 claims relating to housing and estates, €141,315.66 for eight claims relating to drains and gulleys.

Other payouts included €111,100 for 13 claims relating to housing and estates, €141,315.66 for eight claims involving drains and gullies, €31,283 for one claim relating to parks and playgrounds, and €15,000 for one claim involving council buildings.

Residents report repeated trip hazards

The information was released to the Irish Examiner by Cork City Council under the Freedom of Information Act. The council also provided logs of complaints relating to footpaths made during May this year.

One complainant wrote: “I work on South Mall and have seen countless people trip and fall over the uneven tiling, some even seriously injuring themselves.

“Just today an older man tripped on the uneven footpath and split his eyebrow open and damaged his hand.

“A large majority of the people falling are older people or those with mobility issues.” 

On May 18, the council received two complaints about the surface of the footpath at the corner of McCurtain Street and Patrick's Hill.

One complainant said the pavement had caused them to slip in wet weather.

Another wrote: “I would like to draw your attention to the dangerous nature of the paving which was put down recently in the renovation of Patrick's Hill and McCurtain Street.

“The steps at the bottom of Patrick's Hill and around the pedestrian crossing areas in the same place have a darker grey smooth tile and also a textured tile. Both are very slippy when there's any rain.” 

Complaints from across the city

In Meelick Park, Ballyvolane, a resident reported a damaged footpath after a heavy goods vehicle drove over it, saying it “presents a significant tripping hazard to pedestrians”.

Another complaint highlighted a large hole on Model Farm Road, with the complainant saying it “has been left like this for months”. Elsewhere, a whole footpath slab was reported missing outside Cork City Hall.

A resident also contacted the council about numerous damaged footpaths in Mayfield, saying their condition left pedestrians more vulnerable to traffic.

In Nutley Avenue, Blackrock, another complainant reported broken concrete causing a trip hazard, adding that “a lady walking down the road today has a near miss when her heel went into it.”