Cork City Stabbing: What We Know About The Attack Outside Grand Parade
The Cork City stabbing case is the highlight for public safety after Aaron Bohane, a 24-year-old came to the Cork City Centre and stabbed Gavin Sheehan, a 38-year-old man on September 6 at 5 pm. The incident involved stabbing several times with a bladed weapon.
Although Gavin Sheehan was a convicted criminal who was hospitalised after the Friday evening attack outside Grand Parade cafe, the assault investigation in Cork Street was launched immediately for public safety, no matter if it was a criminal at the cafe shop.
(Also read: Man, 24, Faces Charges After Stabbing Outside Cork City Centre Café)
Gardai arrest in Cork City centre took place instantanously after the incident as a result of which Bohane had to face two significant charges. The first charge was under Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 and the second was under Section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990.
A question mark on public safety after Cork City stabbing
The community in Cork City is scared as they are concerned about their safety while roaming around in Cork streets. They are worried about the safety and security of their families whom, now, they cannot take to Cork City centre probably.
The accident gave rise to the debate of an increase in crime and violence in the area and requested the authorities to take steps for increased security measures.
Just before the Cork City stabbing incident took place on 6 September, news confirmed that locals were already living in fear due to the increased crime rate in Cork City. Escalation of violent attacks with grenades, petrol bombs and gunshots are some of them. They could occur anywhere; either at home or in pubs.
One of the examples is that of a hit-and-run case of an Irish pedestrian by armed men on a motorbike who fled from the site soon after.
Thomas Gould’s views on Cork city stabbing outside cafe
Thomas Gould, Sinn Féin member, said that Gardai and the judiciary need to wake up to curb the escalating attacks in Cork City. After the attack outside Grand Parade cafe, the matters have taken a serious turn.
Although Gardai arrest in Cork city centre has clearly demonstrated that the government takes public safety seriously, but with an increase in the crime rate, Garda checkpoints are now set up across the city.
Thomas Gould realises that people are “terrified in their own homes” and meticulous actions are taken to avoid “another weekend of serious violence”, especially in the northside of Cork City.
Irish penalties on assault crimes
In Ireland, the assault charge normally includes several penalties depending on the severity of the crime. They could be:
- Imprisonment for a specified time period
- Hefty amounts of fine by the court
- Obligatory counselling sessions after the offence that could lead to admission to rehabilitation programs
Does public safety depend on Garda’s budget and staff allocation?
One of the spokespersons from Ireland’s Department of Justice said that last year’s budget allocated to An Garda Síochána was more than €2.35 billion. It was reported to be the highest to date by the State, which marks a 25 per cent increase since 2020.
The Cork City stabbing outside cafe does not seem to be dependent on the budget allocation of Garda since it is the second largest city in the country and with a high upsurge of crime, only six newly graduated Gardai are allocated to 20 Garda Stations in the past year.
With such low incoming of new Garda who have to deal with more than 100 cases of Firearm and Offensive Weapons offences on a daily basis, the pressure on the existing Garda staff remains irrepressible.
Thomas Gould said that the crime rate didn’t reduce and with fewer Garda on the ground who are already working tirelessly, the situation does not seem to be under control.
