Living in Cork as a person with a disability comes with a unique set of challenges, some visible, others less so. Proud Cork native Johnny Murphy, whose love for his city runs deep, knows this all too well. As chairperson of the Cork Access Group and a passionate advocate for disability rights, Johnny has long been a voice for change in the community.
While acknowledging the important steps Cork City Council has taken to make the city more inclusive, he also believes there is still a long road ahead.
In a heartfelt conversation with All About Cork, Johnny shared his hopes and concerns, touching on everything from the difficulty of accessing taxis, buses, and trains, to the poor state of footpaths, limited parking, and the harsh reality that many parts of the city simply aren’t safe for people with disabilities.
Working with Cork City Council: Real Progress, But Slow
The access group meets with the City Council every quarter to raise issues of concern for people with disabilities. Johnny explained these can be varied:
“Let me give you an example: the crossing from CUH to Wilton Shopping Centre used to be really unsafe. There was a tiny island in the middle of the road, so small that if someone in a wheelchair and a parent with a buggy were on it at the same time, it would have been cramped and dangerous.”
“We kept raising the issue with Cork City Council and, to be fair, they always listen to us. We’ve built a strong relationship with the Council over the years. We might have to push them consistently, but they do come through. They secured funding, and now there’s a much bigger, safer island in place and it’s made a real difference.”
“There’s always something in the city that needs attention, so we’re always advocating and asking for things to get done.”
Access to Patrick Street, A Simple but Crucial Campaign
Johnny’s latest campaign is to allow access to Patrick Street for disabled drivers. At the moment, during the restricted afternoon hours, only buses and taxis are allowed through. Johnny believes people with disabilities should be included in that list.
“Cork is a beautiful city, but when it rains, it really rains! If you’re pushing a wheelchair from Patrick Street to your car on South Mall, the person in the chair is going to be soaked by the time you get there. Now, if you can afford a taxi, you can skip that whole trek and get home dry. But that’s just not fair because many people with disabilities are already living below the poverty line.”
“There are accessible parking bays on Academy Street, but by law, you’re not allowed to drive out of them during the restricted hours. So if someone with a disability is delayed and needs to leave via Patrick Street and happens to meet a Garda, they could end up with a hefty fine. That’s why I’m pushing to get that rule changed. Disabled people should be allowed to drive on Patrick Street during those restricted hours. It’s a simple change that would make a big difference and I truly believe it needs to happen.”
Taxis in Cork, Long Waits and Lack of Accessible Vehicles
The campaigner argues that there aren’t enough taxis in Cork and shares an alarming example involving a young wheelchair user’s troubling experience:
“A UCC student who uses a wheelchair was out one Thursday night. She told me that she started looking for a taxi home at 12:30am and was left waiting in the rain on Washington Street until 3:30am, three full hours before a wheelchair accessible taxi finally arrived. That’s completely unacceptable.”
“What’s frustrating is that there’s a grant available for taxi drivers to buy wheelchair-accessible vehicles. Many take this generous grant, but not all of them are actually picking up wheelchair users. Instead, they’re focusing on able-bodied passengers, who are quicker and easier to deal with, and often more profitable because you can fit more into the car.”
“The taxi regulator is supposed to oversee situations like this. I did get in touch with them and asked for an audit of what’s happening on the ground, but they didn’t follow through and that needs to change.”
Unsafe Streets and Footpaths – A Daily Reality
Some of the roads and footpaths in Cork are in shocking condition for wheelchair users and people with mobility issues, according to the Cork Access Group chair:
“We’re working with the City Council to try and make improvements here too.”
“If someone takes the train to Cork and is staying at Jurys Inn, they’re met with a curb that’s about 10 to 12 inches high. There’s no way a wheelchair user can get up onto the footpath, so they’re forced to take a long way around to access the hotel. That area isn’t safe, and you wouldn’t want someone with a disability having to navigate it on their own.”
He continued: “People with disabilities are more vulnerable. They’re less able to protect themselves or get away quickly if something goes wrong. That has led many people with disabilities to staying away from the city centre altogether. And that’s a real shame, but you can’t blame them.”
“I love Cork city. It’s a beautiful place to walk around, but I have to admit, I don’t feel safe there anymore. These days, if I’m going into town, I usually bring someone with me. I don’t blame the Gardaí. I’m in regular contact with them through my role as a peace commissioner, and I know they simply don’t have the manpower.”
Dog Fouling: A Hidden but Serious Accessibility Issue
Dog fouling is a serious issue and it’s happening in every city across the country, he said.
“It’s against the law to leave dog mess in public spaces, but that doesn’t seem to stop some people. People need to be held accountable. The only way this will stop is if the city starts catching offenders and issuing fines.”
“It’s especially unfair on wheelchair users. If you roll through dog mess, you can’t just take off your wheels like you would a pair of shoes. That smell lingers, and you need your chair to get into your home, it’s not something you can just leave at the door. It’s horrid.”
Public Transport: Trains and Buses Still Falling Short
Trains and buses still fall short in providing adequate accessibility for all passengers, and these are other areas that the Friars Walk native is hoping to improve.
“I travel to Dublin by train a lot, and there’s a section on each carriage that’s meant for people with disabilities. The problem is that Irish Rail isn’t reserving those seats properly, they’re handing them out to anyone.”
“I’d get it if the seats aren’t booked and they release them at the last minute. But I’ve tried to book two weeks in advance and still found them gone. Then I get on the train and see an able-bodied person sitting there.”
“Getting off the train at Kent Station is another issue. The gap is tricky even for able-bodied people. There’s no problem getting off or on in Dublin. Some people can use the ramp, but I personally struggle with it. My balance is poor, and walking down a ramp is tough. It’s a real challenge for elderly people too, especially if they’re carrying bags.”
“As for buses, from what I hear, they’re hit and miss. They’re more modern now, with steps that drop to the kerb, which does help. I don’t use them myself, so I can’t speak from personal experience.”
More Parking Bays Needed and Better Ones Too
“We need more disability parking bays in Cork. I’ve noticed that with many new projects, not all bays are being reinstated.”
“We’ve been promised four disability bays in the Morrison’s Island project and our priority is making sure they’re high quality. Small bays just don’t work anymore. Wheelchairs have gotten bigger, especially motorised ones, and many users now access their vehicles from the back rather than the driver’s side.”
“That creates a real issue when other drivers park too close behind. If someone is accessing their vehicle from the rear and another car pulls up too tight, it can completely block their exit. I know of one woman who spent an hour in town because she couldn’t get into her car due to someone parking behind her.”
“There’s a real need for public education, not just for drivers in general, but also for wheelchair users. If possible, they should be encouraged to park with their rear access facing outwards to avoid being blocked in.”
Still a Long Way to Go “I’ve Seen Improvements, But We’re Not There Yet”
So while Johnny Murphy has witnessed significant improvements for people with disabilities in Cork, much more still needs to be done, he says, to ensure true accessibility and inclusion.
