The assault and subsequent death of a woman in Cork city centre has raised questions about the city's safety.
36-year-old Vanessa O'Callaghan was found unresponsive by Gardaí on Patrick's Street in Cork City on Sunday evening following an assault at a soup run.
She was taken to Cork University Hospital for treatment but passed away yesterday afternoon.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Fine Gael Councillor for Cork City Shane O’Callaghan told Newstalk Breakfast that he is concerned about increasing levels of anti-social behaviour in Cork city.
“It's important to recognize that in recent years there has been an increase in violent crime and anti-social behaviour in Cork,” he said.
“Particularly in the city centre – and something has to be done about that because we don't want there to be a situation where people just stop coming to the city centre because they don't feel safe.”
File photo of Oliver Plunkett Street in Cork city centre, 18-06-2019. Image: gabriel cassan / AlamyCllr O’Callaghan said that increasing the number of Gardaí would help to tackle the issue.
"We now have the highest ever investment in An Garda Síochána, with I think a €2.31 billion budget allowance for them in the recent budget," he said.
"There's 746 recruuits in Templemoore in 2023, which is the highest in in five years, and the training allowance has been doubled to €354."
'More needs to be done'
However, Cllr O'Callaghan said that 'more needs to be done' in terms of Garda recruitment.
"I think there needs to be extra efforts in terms of a recruitment drive – making it more attractive for people concerned," he said.
"Secondly, I think there needs to be more investment in homeless accommodation, addiction services etcetera.
"Another issue - and I think this is being championed by Junior Minister Colm Burke - is the establishment of a day centre.
"A lot of the antisocial behaviour is taking place by people with addiction issues who would be in a homeless accommodation at night and then during the day they've nowhere to go.”
Cllr O’Callaghan also said that these plans would also include a medical facility.
He also said that the establishment of a new Cork City taskforce will help achieve these goals.
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