The Garda Commissioner has said that the number of drug related intimidation incidents reported to Gardaí are just “the tip of the iceberg”.
Justin Kelly also described as “unfathomable” the fact that there were a number of similar incidents in the days following the arson attack in Waterford last month, which claimed the lives of four people.
The issue was a major focus of the latest public meeting between the Commissioner and the Policing and Public Safety Authority in Co Cavan today.
Mr Kelly told the meeting that the issue was “nothing new” and can range from threats to damaging property, as far as causing death.
He said that sometimes drug debts are being sold to another criminal group, who can then set the debt at a higher amount.
The Commissioner said that it is “hugely traumatic” and “terrifying” for families caught up in it, and urged them to come forward to Gardaí or engage with ‘DRIVE’, a national programme set up to tackle the problem.
“It doesn’t matter who you are. Even if you are a drug supplier, or your son or daughter is, if the family is subject to DRI, that doesn’t matter to us. There shouldn’t be any stigma about coming forward,” he added.
He said there should be no stigma in reporting, that people can do so anonymously, and that Gardaí can also gather evidence against people without the need to take a statement of complaint.
An average of 600 incidents of drug related intimidation are reported to gardaí annually, but the Commissioner described reported incidents as “the tip of the iceberg”.
Gardaí are trying to capture data on the pulse system, with “drug related intimidation” now listed as a motivation.
However, he said that motivation has to be established.
People going through drug related intimidation were urged to seek support and advice.
“I encourage people, before you make any decisions around anything, seek some advice. Seek help. People should not be alone in this,” Mr Kelly said.
“I’m not saying criminal justice is the automatic solution for everything in this. The worst thing for me is to think of a parent or grandparent facing this on their own,” he added.