Report reveals the hidden impact of gangland violence on some communities

Nearly half of people intimidated by gangs over drug debts were physically assaulted and a third suffered damage to their property, new research has found.

But two thirds of victims, both drug users and family members, did not go to the gardaí, mainly for “fear of reprisal”.

The research, conducted by development worker Lisa Buckley and Dr Johnny Connolly, a criminologist attached to Trinity College Dublin, found intimidation is particularly acute for mothers of drug users and young people .