Child, 8, used by gang to collect drug debts on bike

Speaking at the special session on drug-related intimidation at the Dublin City Council's Joint Policing Committee, Sinn Féin councillor Daithí Doolan said the drugs economy was 'embedded' in some communities.

A child aged just eight is being used by a drug gang to collect a drug debt from a family that has paid out a total of €30,000 so far, a council committee has heard.

And the Garda officer leading efforts to target drug-related intimidation told the committee he was aware of drug debts as high as €200,000.