ieExplains: What is fentanyl and is it a problem in Ireland?

Fentanyl is a strong opioid painkiller, which is around 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and heroin. Picture: iStock

Both the Government and the gardaí have sounded the alarm about the potential for the fentanyl crisis rocking both the US and Britain to make it to these shores.

Here, we take a look at the key bits of information you need to know about fentanyl.