Green space plan needed for city

Northside Sinn Féin party members have called for a plan to ensure green areas are kept clean and safe.

Thomas Gould TD and Cllr Kenneth Collins have made calls for Cork City Council and An Garda Síochána to develop the plan as the weather improves over the coming weeks.

The call comes, they said, in light of a number of incidents recently where community green spaces were destroyed with litter.

Deputy Gould said: “We know that there is an increase in underage drinking in green spaces as the weather improves.

“The gardaí need to be vigilant for this. It is perhaps a good time to engage with young people and try to educate them on the harms that leaving glass bottles or other litter in green areas can have. “There also has to be a recognition that this isn’t just teenagers,” concluded the Cork North Central TD.

Sinn Féin Cllr Kenneth Collins said: “Communities are doing their absolute best at the minute.

“Getting outdoors for walks is the only chance for relaxation for many people at the minute, they shouldn’t be met by glass bottles or other rubbish in their local green space.”

He added: “We need to make sure that green spaces are for everyone and are safe to be used by everyone.”