Shelves cleared and doors shut soon after law change

WITHIN hours of the tough law changes on legal highs being announced yesterday, head shop owners were closing their doors and emptying their shelves.

Dozens of head shops nationwide were confirmed shut, while others said they were emptying large amounts of their stock, banned under the new health order rushed in by the Government.

Legal high users still queued outside, only to be told the shops were closed. Elsewhere, gardaí were seen entering premises warning staff of the new law changes.

Stores across the country began shutting up shop shortly after lunchtime when the Department of Health released a list of substances in products that were now banned.

Residents of towns and city areas told radio stations of closures, with head shops stopping business for the day in Dundalk, Portlaoise, Roscommon, Newbridge, Tralee, Kilkenny and Carlow.

Dozens of shops also closed in Dublin on Talbot Street, Prussia Street, Moore Street, Dame Street and Clanbrassil Street.

Outside the Nirvana head shop on South William Street, customers were temporarily able to enter the premises in the afternoon. Inside, staff told the Irish Examiner they were complying with the law and emptying shelves.

The south city centre premises usually has dozens of paying customers from all walks of life queuing outside late on weekend nights.

Elsewhere, there were reports of head shop closures in Dun Laoghaire and Tallaght.

Meanwhile, head shop representatives claimed no notice had been given about the legislation.

Helen Stone, spokesperson for the Alternative Traders Association, said shops were emptying shelves and would end up losing thousands of euro worth of stock.

Further Government plans to make it a criminal offence to supply substances with a psychoactive effect remained unclear, said Ms Stone.