Children as young as 12 being sucked into crime

Gang intimidation is “widespread” in many communities with children as young as 12 being sucked into criminality, said the drugs strategy minister.

Catherine Byrne said drugs were “killing an awful lot” of young people and cited one case in her own Dublin South Central constituency where four of five children in a family died from drugs.

She said she understood that people were fearful or reluctant to contact gardaí about local dealing and intimidation, but urged them to use a dedicated hotline.