#Drugs Crisis

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#Drugs Crisis

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>Detective Garda Colin O’Mahony said the value of the cannabis that was seized from him was €3,600. File picture</p>

court and crime

Cork man avoids jail for delivering drugs all over the city and county

The court heard that part of the reason the defendant was doing it was to 'pay off what he was smoking'

<p>‘Irish Examiner’ court reporter Liam Heylin at the Criminal Courts of Justice on Anglesea St in Cork. Amid the sometimes absurd and sometimes unsettling moments in criminal cases he covers, Liam notes trends and patterns in crimes coming before the courts. Picture: Dan Linehan</p>

S court and crime

Cork crime: 'To get a sense of the place you live, it is worthwhile going to your local courthouse for a day'

<p>Lorraine Nolan, Health Products Regulatory Authority CEO, will take on the role at the beginning of next year. Picture: Stephen Collins/Collins</p>

news

Irish woman Lorraine Nolan appointed head of EU's drug agency

'Ongoing concern in relation to ketamine use among young people'

news

'Ongoing concern in relation to ketamine use among young people'

Cannabis ready to roll

court and crime

Man facing €50k drugs charges in Cork to be released on bail

Coolmine's intensive PUP project for drug-using parents 'should go national'

news

Coolmine's intensive PUP project for drug-using parents 'should go national'

Cork mother 'hooked on crack cocaine' told to stay away from bad influences in theft case

Cork mother 'hooked on crack cocaine' told to stay away from bad influences in theft case

The mother of four had stolen three rolls to feed her children as she had used up her own money to feed her addiction

Fri, 13 Jun, 2025

Cocaine in plastic packet on black background

Man delivering drugs to wrong house in Youghal was caught by doorbell video footage

The judge said the incident sounded like 'something from a YouTube video'

Wed, 11 Jun, 2025

POLITICS Cannabis

Lorry driver stopped with €1.1m of cannabis told gardaí 'I’ll smoke it tomorrow', court hears

The father of two was charged with unlawful possession of 55.4 kg of cannabis with an estimated value of €1,108,000 and having it for the purpose of sale or supply

Mon, 09 Jun, 2025

MV Matthew: How crime gang's ill-prepared crew fell afoul of Ireland's largest cocaine seizure

MV Matthew: How crime gang's ill-prepared crew fell afoul of Ireland's largest cocaine seizure

A poorly-prepared and desperate crew were directed from afar by a sophisticated international crime gang, writes Liz Dunphy

Sat, 07 Jun, 2025

EU warns of synthetic drug threat as seizures and overdose risks rise across Ireland

EU warns of synthetic drug threat as seizures and overdose risks rise across Ireland

EU report warns of surging synthetic drug threats in Ireland, with potent opioids, cathinones and edibles endangering public health

Fri, 06 Jun, 2025

Cocaine stock

Cocaine hauls hit record high for seventh year in a row warns EU drug agency

European Union Drugs Agency highlights surging cocaine seizures, new synthetic threats, and stark warning signs for Ireland

Fri, 06 Jun, 2025

Positive cocaine test result in seized drug package from police trafficking operation.

Quantity of cocaine seized in EU countries has almost doubled in past three years

The European Union Drug Agency said cocaine was the second most common problem drug for people seeking treatment for the first time, accounting for 26% of all new entrants

Thu, 05 Jun, 2025

Drugs seizure on cargo ship

Crews 'expendable' in massive cocaine smuggling operation, court hears

A retired Ukrainian fisherman was told he would earn €5k but claimed he did not know it was a drug-trafficking plot for a major organised crime group

Thu, 05 Jun, 2025

Drugs seizure on cargo ship

MV Matthew crew 'terrified' amid chaos of cocaine trafficking operation, court hears

Special Criminal Court hears of activity on board the ship in the hours before Irish Army Rangers stormed it, bringing the criminal operation to a sudden and dramatic end

Wed, 04 Jun, 2025

Cocaine in plastic packet on black background

'Senior figure in Cork City's drugs trade' granted bail

In his bail application, Ian Hanlon said: 'Obviously, I owe money. That is why I continued doing what I did.'

Wed, 04 Jun, 2025

Cocaine 'is so normalised now that if you're going out without it, then you're doing something wrong'

Cocaine 'is so normalised now that if you're going out without it, then you're doing something wrong'

Recovering addict Dylan Curran was just 15 when he took his first drink and 17 when he tried cocaine but is now three-and-a-half years in recovery

Mon, 02 Jun, 2025

Drug Use in West Midlands, England

Limerick residents alarmed over 'prevalence' of open drug use in city

Unsafe needles found near school grounds

Mon, 02 Jun, 2025

Two arrests as drugs worth €5.4m seized in latest blow to 'The Family'

Two arrests as drugs worth €5.4m seized in latest blow to 'The Family'

Gardaí said 20kg of diamorphine (heroin) and 37kg of cocaine with an estimated value of approximately €5,390,000 was seized

Wed, 28 May, 2025

Cocaine in plastic packet on black background

Treatment for cocaine trebles in eight years

Health Research Board found crack cocaine cases are in 'almost every county' but most of them are in Dublin

Wed, 28 May, 2025

Shannon Airport, Ireland - December 27th 2016: Shannon Airport is Irelands 2nd largest airport in Ireland County Clare. A key ai

Nearly €3m worth of cannabis seized at Shannon Airport

The seized drugs have an estimated street value of €2,980,000

Mon, 26 May, 2025

Ex-soldier jailed for dealing cocaine from 'safe haven' Cork barracks

Ex-soldier jailed for dealing cocaine from 'safe haven' Cork barracks

Shane Scanlon was active in drug-dealing, mixing cocaine and putting it into baggies for onward street distribution and was using a room to which he alone had access in Collins Barracks to store it

Fri, 23 May, 2025

The Mick Clifford Podcast: The war on drugs has extended to vapes

The Mick Clifford Podcast: The war on drugs has extended to vapes

Hexahydrocannabinol, or HHC as it is known, is widely available to buy over the counter in vape shops

Listen | Thu, 22 May, 2025

synthetic white crystal drugs, white powder cocaine amphetamine

'Senior figure in drugs trade in Cork and across the south of Ireland' in fear for his life, court told

The defendant was granted bail on numerous conditions

Thu, 22 May, 2025

File Photo Bin charges treble for customers as companies accused of operating a cartel. MINISTER FOR THE Environment will bring

Cork drug-dealer jailed after €49k and cannabis found next to his wheelie bin

The court heard that he was under instruction from an unnamed third party to hold on to the proceeds of his drug-dealing until it reached €50,000 and then to hand over that amount

Wed, 21 May, 2025

homless person asleep

Half of homeless women who died from drug-related causes had history of mental health issues

There were 128 drug-related deaths involving homeless people in 2021

Tue, 20 May, 2025

Flour on black

Cork soldier used 'safe haven' barracks to stash €27k of cocaine

Case adjourned as court hears how the accused sold drugs due to financial pressure

Mon, 19 May, 2025

Limerick 'at risk of becoming drug capital' as cheap crack cocaine floods city

Limerick 'at risk of becoming drug capital' as cheap crack cocaine floods city

Drug menus dropped through letter boxes and shared on WhatsApp groups, QR codes on lamp posts allowing people to order drugs online and delivered straight to their door, crack cocaine sold for as little as €5 and addicts travelling from other parts of the country to buy it. Just how bad is Limerick's drug problem?

Mon, 12 May, 2025

Criminal Drug Addict Smoking Drugs in Underground Tunnel

Families of drug addicts suffer trauma and endure lives dominated by fear, report says

Relationship and family breakdown, as well as drug debts and financial stress, also torment these families

Mon, 12 May, 2025

A drug syringe and a spoon with cooked heroin

Cork woman admits bringing €8k worth of heroin from Dublin to clear another person's debt

The mother of three has no similar previous convictions and is in full-time employment

Wed, 07 May, 2025

Man in prison hands of behind hold Steel cage jail bars. offender criminal locked in jail.

Man found with vacuum-packed cash and cannabis at his Cork house jailed for drug-dealing

Judge Helen Boyle said: 'He was actively involved in the sale or supply of drugs in the Cork area. And this was a relatively large amount of drugs.'

Thu, 01 May, 2025

vapouring e cigarette close up

Child in Clonakilty admitted to psychiatric unit after vaping

According to a leading addiction specialist, up to 25% of young people in Ireland being admitted to adolescent addiction services list HHC as a problem drug for them

Thu, 01 May, 2025

Community drug projects welcome Government funding of €1.9m for addiction treatment services

Community drug projects welcome Government funding of €1.9m for addiction treatment services

Monies will be allocated across six health regions and are focused on increasing drug treatment in local areas

Fri, 25 Apr, 2025

One arrest as gardaí seize €75k drugs, 41 vehicles, in crackdown on scramblers and e-scooters

One arrest as gardaí seize €75k drugs, 41 vehicles, in crackdown on scramblers and e-scooters

Gardaí searched 20 properties in Clondalkin, Ballyfermot, Rathcoole, Ronanstown, and Lucan on Thursday

Thu, 24 Apr, 2025

Woman admits trying to smuggle drugs into Cork Prison

Woman admits trying to smuggle drugs into Cork Prison

The court heard she was concerned about a particular prisoner who was depressed and finding it difficult in custody

Thu, 24 Apr, 2025

Gardaí seize dozens of e-bikes and freeze related €100k bank account

Gardaí seize dozens of e-bikes and freeze related €100k bank account

JPC chairman Daithí Doolan said: 'Yesterday’s action will strengthen our resolve to stand up the criminals who think they are holding us all to ransom'

Wed, 23 Apr, 2025

drug syringe and cooked heroin on spoon. drug addict problem and therapy concept

Opioid addiction three times higher in Dublin than the rest of Ireland, new study finds

Research found more than half of all individuals addicted to opioids such as heroin are based in Dublin

Wed, 16 Apr, 2025

Accused threw white powder down toilet in Cork garda station

Accused threw white powder down toilet in Cork garda station

Judge Colm Roberts told the man: 'I’m seeing you too much — I don’t want to see you, you don’t want to see me'

Wed, 02 Apr, 2025

European study shows Dublin's ketamine use reached same level as MDMA in 2024

European study shows Dublin's ketamine use reached same level as MDMA in 2024

Mental health problems and physical health problems like seizures and bladder issues are now being seen due to ketamine abuse in Ireland

Sun, 30 Mar, 2025

'He would be gone in two seconds': No bail for suspected Lithuanian gang members arrested in Cork

'He would be gone in two seconds': No bail for suspected Lithuanian gang members arrested in Cork

Gardaí believe the organised crime gang are involved in the sale or supply of a large quantity of heroin in Cork City

Fri, 28 Mar, 2025

Positive cocaine test result in seized drug package from police trafficking operation.

Cartel submarines getting 'bigger and better' at smuggling drugs into Europe, warns former garda

South American cartels are using advanced semi-submersible vessels to smuggle drugs into Europe, with Ireland potentially at risk

Fri, 28 Mar, 2025

€10m-a-year drug gang ‘The Family’ in crisis after high-profile arrests

Gardaí and Spanish police arrest 12 members of ‘The Family’ drug gang in a major international crackdown

Thu, 27 Mar, 2025

Cannabis ready to roll

Man admits to hiding €33k of vacuum-packed cash behind washing machine in Cork drugs case

The accused was remanded in custody until the sessions of the circuit court commencing on April 28

Wed, 26 Mar, 2025

Drugs and contraband worth almost €570k seized in Dublin, Rosslare and Waterford

Drugs and contraband worth almost €570k seized in Dublin, Rosslare and Waterford

The seizures comprised of cocaine, cannabis and other illicit drugs as well as cigarettes, tobacco and counterfeit goods

Tue, 25 Mar, 2025

Unprecedented prison overcrowding leads to escalating tensions

Unprecedented prison overcrowding leads to escalating tensions

Midlands Prison had a record 1,000 in custody last Friday

Mon, 24 Mar, 2025

Micheal Murphy

Businessman arrested after seizure of €10.6m cocaine haul is refused bail

The man aged in his 60s appeared before a special sitting of Gorey District Court on Sunday

Sun, 23 Mar, 2025

Cannabis herb worth €20,000 seized in Kerry gardaí 'day of action'

Cannabis herb worth €20,000 seized in Kerry gardaí 'day of action'

Gardaí in Kenmare carried out house searches along with roadside searches and checkpoints

Fri, 21 Mar, 2025

Man arrested as €10m worth of cocaine seized in Kilkenny drug bust

Man arrested as €10m worth of cocaine seized in Kilkenny drug bust

Gardaí intercepted a heavy goods vehicle and raided multiple locations, uncovering 152kg of cocaine concealed in a vehicle

Wed, 19 Mar, 2025

Drugs seizure on cargo ship

Gangland drugs make up 40% of €210m worth of drug seizures in 2023

The Human Trafficking Investigation and Coordination Unit also identified 53 people as potential victims of human trafficking in 2023 – a 26% rise on 2022

Mon, 17 Mar, 2025

PSNI seize drugs and cash of criminal network with 'large footprint across Ireland and UK'

PSNI seize drugs and cash of criminal network with 'large footprint across Ireland and UK'

The substantial seizures of drugs and cash happened at airports in the North

Thu, 13 Mar, 2025