‘Belt and braces’ approach to outlawing head shops

THE Government has expressed confidence that the “belt and braces” approach adopted to tackle the issue of head shops will work, but conceded that the outlets are “very adept” at getting around laws.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen said that the Government measures were having an immediate effect, as head shops around the country were indicating they were “closed until further notice”.

However, Justice Minister Dermot Ahern admitted that head shops had in the past been able to introduce new products to circumvent existing laws, and said the situation would have to be monitored carefully.