Thirteen of 44 children subjected to drug-related intimidation are still in school, report says
Around 10% of cases include targets being coerced to hold drugs, weapons or money, carry out kidnappings, suffer sexual exploitation or have homes taken over by dealers, a phenomenon known as ‘cuckooing’. File picture
More than 40 children are known to have been subject to drug-related intimidation in the last two years – and 13 of them are still in school.
Revealing the entanglement of children in the drugs trade, a further 23 children are reported to have carried out intimidation.
The first data report of a national programme to counter drug-related intimidation recorded over 1,000 cases in 2024 and 2025.
The DRIVE (Drug Related Intimidation and Violence Engagement) project report said the problem is “pervasive” across all counties and all communities, although there was a disproportionate impact on unemployed people and early school leavers.
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The DRIVE report also says reporting rates are “low”, due to fear of reprisals, proximity to intimidators, stigma, and limited awareness of supports.
Intimidation typically ranges from threats to individuals and their families to acts of violence and property damage.
Around 10% of cases include targets being coerced to hold drugs, weapons or money, carry out kidnappings, suffer sexual exploitation or have homes taken over by dealers, a phenomenon known as ‘cuckooing’.
More than 100 of the 1,027 recorded cases were in debt to the tune of over €10,000 — 40 of them owing over €20,000.
The top five counties for recorded drug-related intimidation are Dublin (440 cases, 43% of the total), followed by Cork (92); Tipperary (91); Limerick (49); and Waterford (33).
The report said the data provides “national-level clarity” on drugs most associated with intimidation, with cocaine linked, by some distance, to the greatest share of cases, at almost 60%. The drug next most associated with drug-related intimidation is cannabis, at 14%.
Launching the report, ‘Drug-related intimidation in Ireland’, drugs strategy minister Jennifer Murnane O’Connor said: “Drug-related intimidation is very insidious and frightening. This is an issue affecting every community and people from all walks of life.”
Justice minister Jim O’Callaghan said drug-related intimidation manifests in various forms, from “threats and coercion to physical violence”, which, he said, often leaves victims “in a state of fear and isolation”.
The report found that just 10% of cases result in reports to gardaí.
Assistant Commissioner for Organised and Serious Crime, Angela Willis, said the number of incidents reported to gardaí has increased, with around 600 incidents in 2025.
She said numbers of suspects arrested and charged has increased, and noted in recent days significant arrests and court appearances in relation to the attempted murder of a woman in Clondalkin.
Alexis Lee Campion suffered life-changing burns to her face and body in a drug-related intimidation attack at her home last November.
The report shows that 44 (4%) cases involve children under the age of 17, and a further 31 (3%) cases involve young people aged 18-19. Some 13 children are still at school.
In addition, 23 people doing the intimidation were reported to be children under 17, with 361 (54%) aged 18-29.
Further revealing the complexities around drug-related intimidation, the report said that in 108 cases (12%) the intimidation was linked to the person’s own drug-dealing.
The report identifies the strain on the families, with almost 30% reports coming from family members. Some 40% of victims borrow from friends and families to pay debts.
The report said drug-related intimidation is a “persistent” issue, with 14% reporting it lasting over three years.
DRIVE is funded by the Department of Health and managed by a national oversight committee comprising state agencies, drug task forces, and voluntary groups.
The project has trained more than 800 people across 24 drug and alcohol task forces to offer support to people affected.
The report recommends strengthened support for individuals and families experiencing drug-related intimidation. It calls for enhanced prevention and community-level interventions, including in disadvantaged areas and recommends structured information-sharing between services.
- Cormac O’Keeffe is security correspondent for the
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