Dáil drug use committee chair accuses Simon Harris of 'classism' over comments on 'middle Ireland'

Gary Gannon said there would be 'no gardaí standing outside the toilets of rugby clubs or pubs all over Ireland this week', and 'middle Ireland' was not facing criminal retribution for taking drugs

Simon Harris urged caution around decriminalisation and raised concerns about 'middle Ireland' facilitating gangland crime by 'snorting coke, popping pills, and smoking joints'.

Tánaiste Simon Harris and justice minister Jim O'Callaghan have been accused of "classism" over their comments on the decriminalisation of drugs for personal use.

Gary Gannon, chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Drug Use also said there would be "no gardaí standing outside the toilets of rugby clubs or pubs all over Ireland this week”, and “middle Ireland” was not facing criminal retribution for taking drugs.