Limerick residents alarmed over 'prevalence' of open drug use in city

Unsafe needles found near school grounds

'People are deeply alarmed by the prevalence of open drug dealing, public drug use, aggressive begging, and the unsafe disposal of needles — particularly in areas where children walk to school or play.'

The HSE has been urged to urgently address the “growing drugs issue” in Limerick city amid alarm among residents at the unsafe disposal of needles – including near school grounds.

Independent councillor for Limerick City West, Maria O’Donoghue put forward a motion at Limerick Metropolitan District Council calling on the council to work with the HSE and the Department of Justice to address the escalating situation.

“People are deeply alarmed by the prevalence of open drug dealing, public drug use, aggressive begging, and the unsafe disposal of needles — particularly in areas where children walk to school or play,” she said, adding locals say the situation is now reaching a "tipping point".

“The HSE must urgently step up and manage addiction services more effectively, and the Gardaí must be properly resourced to deal with open drug dealing and related antisocial behaviour," said Ms O'Donoghue.  

"There’s no value in investing in public realm improvements across the city if residents are unhappy walking their own streets."

The councillor said that while there is compassion for those suffering from addiction, “we cannot allow the dealing and abuse of drugs to become normalised in our community”.

Sinn Féin TD, Maurice Quinlivan, spoke in the Dáil last week about the issue of criminal gangs in Limerick. He mentioned the King Island’s area, as well as the ongoing feud in Ballinacurra Weston.

Earlier this month, three houses were targeted during a drive-by shooting in the area.

Mr Quinlivan asked for additional funding to the King’s Island area to ensure people are “safe in their homes”.

In response, Tánaiste Simon Harris said he will “talk directly to the Minister for Justice about the King’s Island area and the need for more support and resourcing for the Gardaí".

Crime gangs

Mr Quinlivan told the Irish Examiner: “There’s an ongoing feud in the Ballinacurra Weston area, which diverts the resources from the King’s Island area. Other areas need attention at the moment because of ongoing issues on the back of drug dealing, particularly crack cocaine.” 

He said the response to organised crime gangs has to be robust, while making sure those with addiction issues get the services “they need and deserve”.

Mr Quinlivan said garda sources and residents alike have told him it is a miracle nobody has been killed during the incidents which occurred in the southside of the city.

Meanwhile, a letter signed by residents and community groups has highlighted the need for increased policing and outreach services in the St Mary’s Park and King Island areas,.

The letter, seen by the Irish Examiner, says the community is facing an “unprecedented level of social difficulty” which is “detrimental” to the “wellbeing, safety and future prospects of our residents – particularly children and young people”.

The letter says: “There is open drug dealing in areas used by families with children, open drug use in these same areas, drug addled drivers racing around the estates looking for drugs (from all parts of the city and indeed farther afield)”.