Double resources for Garda Drug Squads - Ó Snodaigh
Published: 28 January, 2008
Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has congratulated Gardaí on the weekend drugs seizures but warned that the increasing seizures of drugs are a reflection of the increased amount of drugs entering the state. Deputy Ó Snodaigh again called on Justice Minister Brian Lenihan to double the resources for the Garda Drugs Squads.
Speaking today he said, "Figures revealed today in the Irish Times show
that drug seizures almost doubled last year from €89million to
€160million. While I would congratulate Gardaí on this achievement I
would contend that a significant factor in the increase is that
increasing amounts of drugs are now entering the state. I also want to
congratulate those officers involved in the seizures of over €2million
worth of heroin in Dublin over the weekend.
"The fact is that Gardaí are fighting a drugs epidemic under unnecessary
pressure due to a lack of resources. It is well known that Garda Drug
Squad officers are sometimes involved in other Garda work outside of the
remit of the Drug Squads. This is not good enough.
"Tackling drugs, and all the associated crime that comes with drugs,
must be made top priority for the Gardaí. While I welcome that the
Minister has made tackling drugs a named priority in the Garda Policing
Plan for 2008 this must be backed up with adequate resources.
"If the Minister is serious about tackling the drugs crisis then he
should provide the Gardaí with the resources to do so. I am once again
calling on Minister Lenihan to at least double the resources available
to the Garda Drug Squads."
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