Plea for families facing drug-related intimidation to go to the gardaí 

Justice minister Jim O'Callaghan backed a Sinn Féin motion on the issue, saying a united response from Dáil Éireann was 'extremely important' 

The coffins of Philip and Kim English and two of their sons, Jayden and Callum, carried from Sacred Heart Church, The Folly, Waterford, after their funerals. Picture: Cate McCurry

The justice minister has pleaded with families facing drug-related intimidation to go to the gardaí and has vowed to resource the force to combat the "terrible and frightening" scourge.

The Dáil heard that drug gangs "thrive" on fear and silence, meaning many people feel they cannot report intimidation.

It comes after Philip and Kim English, 12-year-old Callum, and nine-year-old Jayden, were all killed in their home in the Birchwood Estate in Waterford, which was firebombed last week.

Two other children, who are six and 14, remain in critical condition in Crumlin Children’s Hospital.

It has been suggested that the arson attack was linked to a €20,000 drug debt which had been accumulated by another person known to Mr English.

In backing a Sinn Féin motion on the issue, Jim O'Callaghan has said it is " extremely important" there is a united response from Dáil Éireann.

Urging people to come forward, Mr O'Callaghan said: "I appreciate that that may strike some terror into them because of the consequences and the fear that they have of the person intimidating, but I tell you, and I think this House can agree, that the only way to combat it is through An Garda Síochána being informed and being involved."

Pleading with the minister to "do everything possible" to bring the perpetrators, including those who "gave the orders", to justice, Waterford TD David Cullinane called for substantial change to support families.

His party has called for a dedicated Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) operation to target the gangs who "terrorise" families over drug debts as part of a "trauma-led response" to intimidation.

Sinn Féin TD for Waterford, David Cullinane at the scene of the fire in the Birchwood Estate in Waterford City after the incident. In the Dáil on Tuesday, Mr Cullinane said he never again wants to see the trauma that it has caused. Picture: Mícheál Ó Scannáil/PA

"I spoke to hundreds of people in Waterford who said that that family lived in fear, and for any family to have to live in that fear is unimaginable," Mr Cullinane said.

"I don't want to see anything like the scene I saw in Waterford. 

I never want to go into a community again and have to look people in the eye and see that trauma and that sadness, but also that anger that's there as well.

This was echoed by Fianna Fáil's Mary Buter, who said that "in the midst of the horrendous tragedy, we saw decency, compassion, we saw kindness shown by the people of Waterford and this great country as a whole".

The Waterford politician said the Dáil must send out a unified message that "we have had enough, that we are coming after the criminal thugs responsible for wreaking havoc and despair and death on communities".

Sinn Féin TD Matt Carty said people are not only terrified but also feel abandoned.

'Dedicated operation' needed

He said CAB "should establish a dedicated operation to identify and target those responsible for drug-related intimidation, seizing the assets of the gangs and individuals who terrorise families and communities".

The Government is supporting the Sinn Féin motion, which calls for a determined Garda crackdown, and a public information campaign so that people know where they can seek help, and substantially increased investment in the programmes that support victims and communities.

The motion also states that tackling drug debt intimidation requires a longer-term commitment to communities that have experienced persistent disadvantage.

• Elaine Loughlin, Political Editor