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A city councilor has called for the army to be deployed to some of Cork’s greens and public services to deter large gatherings and antisocial behavior.
Cllr Mick Finn said that after a third weekend of big late-night gatherings and public drinks at places like Lough, Bell’s Field, Canty’s Field and last night at Kennedy Quay, it has become clear that the garda’s resources are running low when it comes to to enforce various public health restrictions.
He said a stricter approach is required to enforce various public health regulations and street drinking statutes until the 5km travel restriction is eased.
“These group meetings in our utility areas in the current climate are turning the short term for the summer,” he said.
“It is time for people who are giving two fingers for Covid-19 restrictions and local communities to face or face more severe consequences.
“Otherwise the lockdowns and restrictions will just continue, who wants that?
“What we have seen in these public spaces over the past three weekends shows that the current approach is not working effectively and we need a reinforced approach to deter this type of activity.
“The Gardaí are doing a very good job under difficult circumstances, but they have limited resources, which are on the limit.
“Either they need much greater resources, or maybe it’s time to get support from the military to monitor these places and discourage gatherings in the first place.
And he said residents living around the Lough have decided to stop collecting daily trash due to the scale of landfills and litter in recent weeks stemming from antisocial activity.
“They just feel like it doesn’t make sense anymore. They are simply fed up when they see large crowds arriving and apparently being allowed to do whatever they please, without consequences, ”he said.
“Residents have been doing their bit, the city council will do its best, but it may need to get to a point where people can see how bad this situation can get, before anything is done. about”.
A constituent told Finn that his elderly mother, who has walked the Lough almost daily since moving to the area nearly 60 years ago, first felt afraid to walk through the area Thursday night.
Mr Finn said: “I have no problem with people enjoying the sun, within its 5 km, gathering in small groups in our parks and green spaces.
“But what we’ve seen, sadly, in some of our parks, public spaces, and public services over the past few weekends is likely to result in an increase in Covid-19 cases.”
On the north side, independent director Ken O’Flynn suggested the temporary closure of the iconic Bell’s Field and the introduction of a “local access only” agreement.
Another night follows in which large numbers of people gathered, some with beer bars, for the third weekend in a row.
“People are entering this area and they lack respect for society, and they don’t respect the locals,” he said.
“The locals are deeply upset and disturbed by the actions of a few who have behaved in this reckless manner.
“It is regrettable and annoying to think that we have to consider closing the park to everyone but the immediate residents, but we believe that it is the most responsible.”
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