Drug-related intimidation leaves Irish families feeling alone and under threat

Alex Cunningham discusses families forced from their homes, escalating drug debts and serious concerns over a regional taskforce

English family arson attack sparks debate on drug debt intimidation in Ireland

The deaths of five members of the English family in a drug-related arson attack have sparked a national conversation about the impact of drug debt-related intimidation on families across Ireland.

One mother who spoke to Irish Examiner reporter Alex Cunningham this week described having to abandon her home because of violence and threats after her son began taking cocaine and cannabis at just 12 years old. 

Others describe feeling totally alone as the intimidation and debts mounted, likening the experience to "living in a gangster movie".

The issues come as the South East Regional Drugs Task Force, which comprises HSE officials, gardaí, councillors and frontline workers, has been effectively without a coordinator for seven years. 

The coordinator has been on gardening leave throughout this period, with Waterford TD David Cullinane describing the situation as "extremely serious".

Alex is today's guest on the Deirdre O'Shaughnessy Podcast.