Drug users living on city’s northside fear reprisals from vigilantes

DRUG users in Cork’s northside are in fear of falling victim to vigilantes, a research programme has found.

The study into the effectiveness of a project for people who use drugs spoke to members of the community, project staff and users of the service.

Fears of action against drug dealers or users may have spiked following the murder just over a year ago of convicted drug dealer Gerard ‘Topper’ Staunton, after claims were made on behalf of the Real IRA that it was responsible and the killing would help parents sleep better at night. Seven people suspected of links to dissident activity were arrested last week as part of the Garda investigation into the death.