‘Not winning battle on drugs and crime’

‘WE are not winning the battle against crime and drugs in Dundalk,’ a community worker has warned.

Anthony Taaffe was speaking at the annual public meeting of the Joint Policing Committee.

Earlier, those present in the town hall heard that drug dealers are targeting young people on their way to and from school, and that children are being used as mules, and carrying drugs in their bags for criminals.

In a further worrying development, parents are being intimidated by the dealers to pay the drug debts of their sons and daughters.

New Chief Superintendent of the Louth garda division, Christy Mangan, has undertaken to make a decision soon on whether or not to establish a dedicated drugs unit in the county. He acknowledged there is heroin in the area. And, his colleague, Superintendent Gerry Curley, spoke of the success of Operation Varlet, an undercover operation which has detected 33 local drugs suppliers, who are presently being brought before the courts.

Mr. Taaffe has called for more financial resources, and said it is a scandal that Dundalk does not have a drugs squad by now.

He also claimed that some parents, who have been intimidated, have been advised by the guards to pay the dealers.

The chief superintendent said he will make a decision on a drugs unit, if one is needed, ‘very quick’.

‘I am not afraid of drug dealers,’ he added. Superintendent Curley explained 846 searches have been carried out in the last year, resulting in heroin, cannabis and various tablets being discovered.

He added that on the previous evening, an ‘important player’ was arrested, and brought before court the next day.

It was Supt. Curley who said ‘drugs predators’ are targeting young people on their way to and from schools, and that patrols in those areas have been stepped up.