‘We are at a crisis point’: Northside residents pen letter to Gardaí amid rising drug use in parts of the city

RESIDENTS from Limerick’s Northside have written to Chief Superintendent Derek Smart, as the head of the Limerick Garda Division, to formally request additional community support hours and resources to address the rise in drug use, drug dealing, and anti-social behaviour in the King’s Island area.

In a letter seen by the Limerick Post, Brian Thompson, secretary of King’s Island Community Group, wrote to Superintendent Smart on behalf of residents, local sporting clubs, schools, non-profit organisations, local councillors, and TDs, all listed as co-signatories.

The letter, which was sent this Friday (May 23), said the community is “facing an unprecedented level of social difficulty, with escalating incidents involving drug-related activity that are having a detrimental impact on the wellbeing, safety, and future prospects of our residents – particularly children and young people”.

Mr Thompson also cited open drug dealing, open drug use, and drug users “racing around the estates looking for drugs”, from all parts of the city and further field.

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“Local families have expressed fear and frustration as public spaces and streets become increasingly unsafe, and vulnerable members of our community are being exploited or negatively influenced,” the letter read.

This past Tuesday, €140,000 worth cocaine was seized in the King’s Island area as part of Operation Tara, a national anti-drugs strategy focusing on disrupting and prosecuting the illegal drugs trade at all levels.

While the King’s Island Community Group in its letter acknowledged the efforts of existing Garda support services, it is now calling for increased staff hours, outreach services, and supports to engage with at-risk individuals.

It is also noted that another anti-drugs strategy at work in the locality, Operation Feabhsaigh, was a significant success for the area, but the community is now “at a crisis point and require immediate action from An Garda Síochána and support services.”

The letter concluded that “we believe that with timely and enhanced intervention, it is possible to reverse this negative trajectory and provide real hope and opportunity to our residents. We welcome the opportunity to meet and discuss a coordinated response.”

The letter was also sent to Mayor John Moran, Limerick City and County Council, Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, Superintendent Andrew Lacey, Limerick City TDs, and local councillors on Limerick’s Northside.

Co-signatories on the letter include: