Research conducted by the indicates that individuals with addresses on the northside of Cork City tend to receive longer prison sentences on average compared to those residing on the southside.
An analysis of over 1,400 court reports featured in both and reveals a significant disparity in sentencing between the north and south sides of the city.
This finding raises concerns about persistent inequality and the socioeconomic divide, despite substantial investments in disadvantaged areas over the years.
Key findings from the analysis of 554 convictions between 2020 and 2024 include:
- 360 convictions involved individuals with northside addresses, while 194 were southside residents.
- The average prison sentence was lengthier for northside residents (22.1 months) compared to southside residents (18 months).
- Some of the city’s youngest offenders resided on the northside.
- Gurranabraher had the youngest average age among those incarcerated during the study.
A breakdown by crime category reveals an even more pronounced sentencing disparity.
The data shows:
127 prison sentences involving theft were handed down to individuals with northside addresses, with an average sentence of 11.8 months.
65 similar offenses involving southside residents resulted in an average sentence of 8.7 months.
54 prison sentences for burglary involved northside residents, leading to an average term of 32 months.
12 similar offenses by southside residents resulted in an average sentence of 25 months.
53 prison sentences for public order offenses involved northside residents, with an average sentence of 9.5 months.
31 similar offenses by southside residents resulted in an average sentence of 5.5 months.
48 prison sentences involving weapons and explosives offenses were imposed on northside residents, yielding an average sentence of 29.3 months.
23 similar offenses by southside residents resulted in an average sentence of 27 months.
45 prison sentences for drug sale or supply offenses involved northside residents, with an average sentence of 40.7 months.
23 similar offenses by southside residents resulted in an average sentence of 29 months.
63 prison sentences for assault involved northside residents, resulting in an average term of 26.2 months.
42 similar offenses by southside residents resulted in an average term of 27.6 months.
Assault was the only major crime category where southside sentences were, on average, harsher.
Seven out of the top 10 suburbs with the highest jail-time rates are classified as ‘disadvantaged’ or ‘very disadvantaged’ in the 2022 Pobal Deprivation Index, characterized by higher unemployment, lone-parent households, and lower rates of school completion and third-level education.
The average age of northside residents at the time of sentencing was just under 33, while for southside residents it was just over 34.
The average sentence for northside residents was slightly over 22 months, compared to 18 months for southside residents.
Mentions of previous convictions were nearly equal across the city, featured in 65% of northside cases and 63% of southside cases.
The data also suggests that addiction is a citywide problem, without geographical boundaries.
Addiction was mentioned in 54% of northside cases and 52% of southside cases. Alcohol was referenced in 37% of cases on both sides, whereas drugs were cited in 45% of cases on the north and south sides of the city.
In total, addiction, alcohol or drugs was a factor in 72% of northside cases and 74% of southside cases.
The analysis also identified the most frequently cited crime categories and the residential areas of those convicted.
Gurranabraher recorded the highest number of prison sentences over the five-year period and had the youngest average age for individuals jailed for offenses, at just under 29 years old.
It was followed by Mayfield, Knocknaheeny, and Blackpool, all on the northside, and by Mahon in the southeast.
