Drug-related intimidation is now so rampant in Dublin’s north-east inner city that more than 20pc of people surveyed there have experienced it directly, according to a new report released today.
Violence, threats of harm, vandalism and intimidation are being used not only on people with drug debts and their family members, but anyone even suspected of reporting drug dealing in their area.
The report reveals that over 80pc of respondents to an online survey aimed at those living or working in the area, which encompasses Summerhill, Ballybough, Mountjoy Square, Parnell Street and Gardiner Street, as well as areas of the Docklands, were aware of drug-related intimidation as an issue in their community.
Reasons for intimidation included to pressurise payment of a debt or a loved oneâs debt; to âdisciplineâ a person for âinterferingâ in a dealerâs activities by reporting incidents, or for even being suspected of informing or ârattingâ to authorities.
Targeted
A focus group participant recalled a resident being targeted after reporting antisocial behaviour associated with drug dealing.
âThey came back the next day and smashed every one of her windows because the police was called because they were on the corner selling all that day and they were fighting. she had enough of it and she rang the police. The next day, every one of her windows was put in.â
Drug-related intimidation is now so rampant in Dublin’s north-east inner city that more than 20pc of people surveyed there have experienced it directly, according to a new report released today.
Violence, threats of harm, vandalism and intimidation are being used not only on people with drug debts and their family members, but anyone even suspected of reporting drug dealing in their area.
The report reveals that over 80pc of respondents to an online survey aimed at those living or working in the area, which encompasses Summerhill, Ballybough, Mountjoy Square, Parnell Street and Gardiner Street, as well as areas of the Docklands, were aware of drug-related intimidation as an issue in their community.