The Government has been accused of turning “a blind eye” to drug crime after figures reveal a 30% cut in the strength of local garda drug units across the country.
Fianna Fáil said the drop in the strength of divisional drug units, from 361 in 2011 to 253 in 2014, came at a time when the “drugs racket is bigger than ever”.
The figures, revealed in a reply to a parliamentary question to Fianna Fáil and reported in the Irish Examiner, show 13 of the 29 units have six staff or less.
Many local units are forced to operate with a handful of members, with Cork West struggling with three; Wexford axed to just one; and Cavan/Monaghan’s unit abolished altogether.
Drug squads in divisions afflicted by organised crime — including Dublin North, Dublin South, and Limerick — have had their strength, on average, almost halved.
Garda sources point out in many cases drug squad gardaí are performing other detective duties — such as tackling burglaries — because of dire shortages in local units.
Source: Cormac O'Keeffe, Irish Examiner, 02/03/15
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