Government ‘is turning a blind eye’ to drug crime

The Government has been accused of turning “a blind eye” to drug crime after figures reveal a 30% cut in the strength of local garda drug units across the country.

Fianna Fáil said the drop in the strength of divisional drug units, from 361 in 2011 to 253 in 2014, came at a time when the “drugs racket is bigger than ever”.

The figures, revealed in a reply to a parliamentary question to Fianna Fáil and reported in the Irish Examiner, show 13 of the 29 units have six staff or less.

Many local units are forced to operate with a handful of members, with Cork West struggling with three; Wexford axed to just one; and Cavan/Monaghan’s unit abolished altogether.

Drug squads in divisions afflicted by organised crime — including Dublin North, Dublin South, and Limerick — have had their strength, on average, almost halved.

Garda sources point out in many cases drug squad gardaí are performing other detective duties — such as tackling burglaries — because of dire shortages in local units.

“This government has turned a blind eye to the ever increasing prevalence of drugs and drug-related crime in every community,” said Fianna Fáil justice spokesman Niall Collins.

“The drugs racket is bigger and more profitable than ever but instead of addressing this, this government is pulling resources away from tackling the problem at a dramatic rate.”

He said gardaí were being severely hampered in preventing and investigating drug-related crime.

“The policy of ignoring Ireland’s drugs crisis has put communities and vulnerable individuals at serious risk. We need strong measures to tackle drug crime and to help the ever increasing number of victims of drugs.

“The first step must be the reinstatement of fully resourced dedicated units in all garda divisions and the reinstatement of a Minister for Drugs to oversee a crackdown on drug crime.”