Kilkenny County Council
Kilkenny Local Community Safety Partnership
Kilkenny County Council and the Department of Justice have launched a new Local Community Safety Partnership (LCSP) in Kilkenny.
What is it about?
The Local Community Safety Partnership is a new government initiative which brings together statutory services, the voluntary and community sector, local councillors and community members to work together to identify and tackle community safety issues locally.
What is community safety?
Community safety is a broad concept that goes beyond just policing and crime. It is about people being and feeling safe in their communities, and it includes everything from visible Gardaí to safe places for children to play. Community safety needs a multi-agency approach, where services work together to deliver on the needs of individual communities.
How will this work?
The new Local Community Safety Partnership will bring all services and the community together at local authority level, replacing the existing Joint Policing Committees, to serve as a forum for discussion and decisions on community priorities. It will give local people a stronger voice to identify and tackle community safety issues.
The LCSP will have a maximum of 30 members. Membership will include representatives from relevant public services in the area, the local authority and local councillors, as well as widespread community representation. Following public consultation, a Local Community Safety Plan will be developed by the LCSP which will reflect priorities identified by the community. LCSP members will be expected to attend a minimum of six LCSP meetings per year to discuss local community safety matters and contribute to the development of the Safety Plan. LCSP members may also be included on working groups, to fully execute the plans and strategies of the LCSP.
What else do I need to know about this initiative?
The Local Community Safety Partnership will bring together residents, community representatives, business interests, councillors, the voluntary sector, minority groups, local authorities and State services such as An Garda Síochána, Tusla and the HSE to devise and implement the Local Community Safety Plan.
The Partnership will have an independent chairperson and a dedicated Community Safety Coordinator.
Where can I find out more information?
You can email the Local Community Safety Coordinator, Maria O'Shea, and the Local Community Safety Administrator, Breda Carroll, at communitysafety@kilkennycoco.ie for more information on how we are working to improve community safety.
Kilkenny Local Community Safety Partnership
At the inaugural meeting of the Kilkenny Local Community Safety Partnership on 25th November 2025, Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick was elected Chairperson and Cllr David FitzGerald as Vice Chair.
For queries or to contact the Chairperson, please email ChairKilkennyLCSP@kilkennycoco.ie.
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NEWS
SAFER TOGETHER EVENT - Your Community. Your Safety. Our Priority.
The Safer Together Community Safety Event will take place on Monday, 11th May 2026, from 6pm to 8pm at the Rivercourt Hotel, Kilkenny. Organised by the Kilkenny Local Community Safety Partnership (KLCSP), the event brings together residents, services and local organisations under the message “Your Community. Your Safety. Our Priority.”
This FREE event offers an evening of information, engagement and practical support. From 6pm, attendees can visit information stands, speak directly with local services, and enjoy finger food and refreshments provided throughout the night.
The programme includes contributions from An Garda Síochána and short presentations on key community safety issues, including drugs awareness and intimidation (DRIVE Project), online safety for young people, money scams, and current safety concerns affecting local communities.
A wide range of organisations will be represented, including Muintir na Tíre, the Alzheimer Society, Civil Defence, Tusla, Comhairle na nÓg, St. Canice’s Credit Union, Kilkenny Fire Service, and the Garda Cyber Crime Prevention Officers, among others.
The event is family-friendly, with information on online safety, as well as a children’s colouring table.
Open to everyone, Safer Together is an opportunity to connect with local supports, learn about community safety, and play a part in making Kilkenny a safer place for all.
👉 Register for this FREE event on Eventbrite or scan the QR code on the flyer.
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SUBSTANCE MISUSE SUPPORT
The South East Young People’s Addiction Support (SEYPAS) service provides free, confidential one‑to‑one addiction support for young people aged 16–24 living in the South East of Ireland. It offers online support for young people whose drug or alcohol use is starting to impact their wellbeing, education, relationships, or daily life. The service focuses on early intervention, reducing barriers to access, and linking young people with appropriate local HSE and community‑based addiction supports across Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Waterford, and Wexford.
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