Street drinkers and drug dealing still an issue despite hi-viz patrols
10:29, 19 Apr 2026Updated 10:43, 19 Apr 2026
A Garda on patrol on Grand Parade(Image: CorkBeo / Thomas Lawrance)
A man was stabbed in an incident on the Grand Parade as shocked onlookers watched a fight between a group of people yesterday evening – the latest in a string of worrying incidents in the centre of Cork City.
The incident happened at around 7.pm yesterday evening, close to the Capitol Building on the Grand Parade. It followed similar incidents in the south inner city over the week, including a daylight brawl on Evergreen Road in the Turner’s Cross area on Friday and an incident involving a man running after another individual while brandishing a butcher’s knife earlier in the week.
A Garda spokesperson said: “Gardaà attended the scene of a serious assault which occurred at Grand Parade, Cork city yesterday evening, Saturday. Shortly after 7pm, Gardaà and emergency services were alerted to the incident. A man (30s) was taken to Cork University Hospital to be treated for serious injuries.
A technical examination of the scene has been completed. Investigations are ongoing.”
Local representatives on the southside have told Corkbeo that there have been almost daily incidents of serious anti-social behaviour, which they believe are linked to two houses in the area where drug dealing has been going on for some months.
CorkBeo has reported on anti-social behaviour in the area, including around Douglas Street, Turner’s Cross and Tory Top Park in Ballyphehane. Locals have told us a large gang of drug users has been gathering in various spots and making life very difficult for residents in the area.
The man brandishing the knife along Evergreen Road in Cork city
In the city centre, street drinkers regularly sit in large groups outside the City Library on the Grand Parade and on Corn Market Street. Local businesses have expressed their frustration that 6 or 7 people can sit for hours, openly drinking, often homemade and very strong ‘hooch’ out of plastic bottles, before they get rowdy and the inevitable fights start.
One business owner we talked to on the Grand Parade pointed out that taking the drink from these groups, and repeatedly doing so until they get the message that they can’t drink all day on Cork’s main streets, would at least make the issue less visible.
Gardai have been involved in high-visibility patrols since before Christmas and that has made a big impact in the city centre. Business groups including the Cork Business Association have expressed their support for the more proactive approach and acknowledged the efforts being made by Gardai to get to grips with the issues.
Senior Gardai have also met with representatives of businesses and residents in the South Parish area recently to look at problems there, including drug use and anti-social behaviour in the area.
CorkBeo understands that a plan to tackle the issue has been drawn up and Gardai will be concentrating their efforts on the known drug dealing houses and related issues in the Douglas Street, Barrack Street area.