Call to restore anti-drugs phone line

The Government has been urged to reverse the scrapping of a free and anonymous phone line which the public could use to report suspected drug dealing in their area.

Funding for the 'Dial to Stop Drug Dealing' initiative was cut off at midnight, despite the fact it has received over 9,000 calls since 2008.

Sinn Féin's Justice spokesperson Jonathan O'Brien, a TD in Cork North Central, said it make no sense to shelve a project that worked so well.

"The Chief Superintendent in the Cork area has said it is one of the most successful projects which has ever been launched in relation to drug activity," Deputy O'Brien said.

"He has also stated that it has led to significent drug seizures and prosecutions.

"So if the guards themselves are saying this, it beggars belief why we are discontinuing such a successful service."