Politics

Enda Kenny confronted by protesters on visit to Cork

FG leader says party to recruit 1,800 gardaí in five years if returned to government

Taoiseach Enda Kenny is escorted by gardaí as he passes a small group of protesters at the turning of the sod on the Cork Event Centre in Cork city. Photograph: Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision

Barry Roche
Sarah Bardon
Fri Feb 12 2016 - 20:42

Taoiseach Enda Kenny was confronted by protesters on the campaign trail in Cork on Friday.

Mr Kenny used the visit to announce Fine Gael’s policy on crime ahead of the general election.

Demonstrators protesting against the introduction of water charges gave Mr Kenny an angry welcome as he visited the Tuckey Street area of the city. Members of the group of some 30 people shouted “Enda, Enda, Enda, out, out, out”.

There were minor scuffles between protesters and gardaí.

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Mr Kenny said Fine Gael would recruit an additional 1,800 gardaí over the next five years if returned to government.

The Taoiseach said the party was committed to tackling rural crime and would ensure gardaí were more visible in communities.

“If we can keep the recovery going, Fine Gael is committed to investing in 10,000 additional frontline staff. This includes 1,800 gardaí. We also want to free up Gardaí from desks through civilianisation,” he said.

“Fine Gael’s plan is based on using the resources created by a strong economy to invest in more Gardaí and more resources such as garda vehicles and IT. This will ensure a visible, mobile, dynamic policing.”

Mr Kenny and Tánaiste and Labour leader Joan Burton headed to Cork on Friday following the first election debate of the campaign.

Both party leaders attended the former Beamish and Crawford site in the city for a sod turning event to mark the start of work on the city’s event centre.

Mr Kenny also visited the site of the €50 million redevelopment of the Capitol Cinema Complex on Grand Parade in the city and the city’s English Market.

As he made his way through the city, one irate pensioner told Mr Kenny she was just 10 cent a week better off after five years of Fine Gael and Labour government before she hurried off to do her business.

Broadcaster TV3 said more than 800,000 people tuned into the debate, which also featured Fianna Fáil’s Micheál Martin and Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams.

TV3 said an average of 430,000 watched the debate and that the numbers peaked at 502,000 viewers just after 10pm.

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