Head shops owners to stage rallies in Cork and Dublin

Head shop owners are holding rallies later today, claiming they are being unfairly treated by gardaí and the Government.

The Alternative Traders of Ireland will stage demonstrations in Cork and Dublin at 2pm today.

The Justice Minister Dermot Ahern says he intends to bring in legislation to criminalise certain substances being sold in head shops in the near future.

Head of the Irish Pharmaceuticals Union Darragh O'Loughlin said it was a constant challenge to monitor the "backstreet laboratories" who make small changes to existing drugs to create new ones.