‘Aggressive’ garda policy cuts number of head shops

JUST two head shops are now open in Dublin’s north inner city following an “aggressive” Garda policy in an area which had the highest concentration of such stores in the country, at one stage numbering 13.

Gardaí said their strategy – together with last month’s ban on a wide range of legal highs – had led to a 75% drop in robberies, most of which they directly linked to addicts of head shop products. The development comes as the Government continues to tighten its squeeze on head shops. Last Thursday, Justice Minister Dermot Ahern published general proposals with the aim of banning completely the sale of any mind-altering drugs – except those that are already legal.

Mr Ahern hopes to have the Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Bill passed into law by the summer, although it is not yet clear if that will happen.