Criminal Gavin Sheehan injured following stabbing in Cork City
Convicted criminal Gavin Sheehan has been hospitalised after being stabbed in Cork City on Friday evening.
Gardaí and emergency services rushed to the scene near a coffee shop at the junction of Grand Parade and Oliver Plunkett Street shortly after 5pm.
It is understood that Sheehan was attacked by two men.
He was treated at the scene and then brought by ambulance to Cork University Hospital.
It is understood he received serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
The scene of the attack at the corner of Grand Parade and Oliver Plunkett Street was preserved for a technical examination which has since been completed.
Sheehan was released from Castlerea Prison in Co Roscommon last month after he served eight years for shooting a young woman in the neck.His home was attacked recently when an incident of criminal damage occurred at the property at around 5.40pm on August 23 last.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to this assault to come forward.
They are also appealing to road users and pedestrians who may have camera footage (including dash cams) from the Grand Parade/Oliver Plunkett Street area between 4:30pm and 5:30pm to make this footage available to gardaí.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Anglesea Street Garda Station at 021 452 2000, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene of the incident near a coffee shop on Oliver Plunkett Street shortly after 5pm."Investigations are ongoing," a garda spokesperson said.
Cork’s Lord Mayor Cllr Dan Boyle (Green Party) is calling for a stronger Garda presence on the streets.
“Gardaí are working on the details and I have every confidence that they will make sure that the person responsible is brought to book for this type of behaviour,” he said.
“The concern is that these incidents are being taken as something that is very prevalent. Cork is no different to most cities in terms of dealing with anti-social behaviour and experiencing occasional incidents of violence.
"However, I think we are still better than most and my message would be to trust in Gardaí. They need to be properly supported to make sure this behaviour is countered so that we can try to eliminate its occurrence. Even one crime is too many. That it occurs at all is a worry. We certainly don’t want this to become a trend.
"Every support should be given to Gardaí to ensure this is countered. There are arguments surrounding the number of Gardai and additional resources they are given. I think they are fair comments. Incidents like this concentrate the mind to remind us that we do need these additional supports. We do need Gardaí. We also need to ensure that they are given the support from the general public so we can prevent these incidents.”
Chairperson of Cork city Joint Policing Committee Cllr Damian Boylan (Fine Gael) is demanding action in response to recent crimes.
“This isn’t the Cork we grew up in, without a shadow of a doubt. It used to be a playground for people on a Friday and Saturday night but everywhere is so quiet now. We need to get our streets back. Cork city needs to be a place where people feel safe to go to at the weekends.
"We need more of a Garda presence I will be addressing this with the minister for justice. I will also be raising this issue with Superintendent Tom Myers. Gardaí need to make themselves more visible.”
Brian Herlihy, who co-owns Centra on Grand Parade, said solutions are needed to combat crime and anti-social behaviour in the area.
"The level of violence in the city centre is very much a concern for businesses. A greater Garda presence is needed and a better solution to the revolving door system.
