Assaults on the rise

The massive rise in assaults has been blamed on drug taking and alcohol consumption by one of Cork’s top ranking gardaí.

New figures release this week showed that there was 1,350 more assaults in the first eight months of this year compared with the same time in 2018.

Reports of assaults causing harm jumped by 645 incidents from 240 to 885 while minor assaults rose by 705 incident reports from 290 to 995 for all of Cork city and county.

Chief Superintendent Barry McPolin released the figures at the Joint Policing Committee meeting in County Hall for the Cork City, Cork North and Cork West Garda divisions.

He said: “In the past 12 months we’ve noticed an increase in these categories.

“Why has there been increase? (It could be that) we’ve noticed an increase in the level of intoxication and this is leading to more serious altercations involving assault type situations.

“It’s perhaps also because there has been an increase level of illegal drug taking which may be affecting people’s decision making.”