Searches ‘bordering on oppressive’

Gardaí have conducted over 9,000 drug searches in the centre of Dublin so far this year in a policy that the Garda chief responsible described as “bordering on oppressive policing”.

Chief Superintendent Pat Leahy said if gardaí searched any more people it would result in complaints against them.

Gardaí adopted the strategy in response to the level of drug usage, dealing, and drug-related nuisance in a small part of the north inner city, centred around O’Connell St and neighbouring areas.