FEARS are growing that drug dealers will be able to
ply their trade on Northside streets without repercussions should local Garda
drugs units be disbanded.
Speculation is rife that several dedicated local drugs
units will be scrapped over the coming weeks as part of a major reshuffle in An
Garda Siochana.
The move, which Garda bosses were unable to confirm or
deny, would have a detrimental effect on the crackdown on the sale and use of
drugs, according to local politicians and community activists.
Many Garda stations, particularly in disadvantaged
areas, have a team of officers dedicated to investigating and providing a local
response to the use, sale and supply of drugs.
However, it’s believed that these gardai, who are
usually plain clothed, will be redeployed to regular uniformed units as part of
the dramatic reshuffle, which follows a wave of retirements and coincides with
a new and unpopular rostering system.
Northside councillor Steve Wren (Lab) said a senior
member of the force informed him of the possible move which he believes will
lead to a
“free for all
? in the drugs trade.
“Not having groups of dedicated gardai to work on
drugs investigations will have disastrous consequences,
? he told Northside
People.
“The drugs units are a vital link in the chain of
people involved in ongoing and successful investigations in relation to drugs.
“There won’t be the same flow of intelligence between
the National Drugs Unit and local gardai which I fear will give dealers the
opportunity to ply their trade more openly on the streets.
?
According to Cllr Wren, who is studying law and has a
qualification in addiction studies, the gardai cannot afford to reduce
resources in the fight against drugs, especially on the Northside.
Dublin North West TD Dessie Ellis (SF), who is part of
the Finglas/Cabra Drugs Task Force, described the reshuffle and cuts to Garda
resources as
“ill-judged and illogical
?.
“The Garda drugs unit have been doing a good job at
working with the community to tackle the drug problem in areas such as Ballymun
and Finglas,
? he stated.
“It would be very worrying if the rumour of these
drugs units being disbanded were true.
“We will see a massive amount of Garda resources being
taken from areas such as Ballymun which will see a reduction of five members of
staff through retirement.
“It’s ridiculous to have gardai who had been working
solely on investigating drug dealers now being reintegrated into regular units.
“It’s an absolute disgrace and will benefit no one in
the long-run.
?
A Garda spokesperson would neither confirm nor deny
that there is an intention to disband Garda drugs units. The spokesperson also
declined to comment in relation to staff levels at specific stations.
“Local Garda management closely monitors the
allocation of resources, including transfers and retirements, in the context of
crime trends, policing needs and other operational strategies in place on a
district, divisional and regional level, to ensure optimum use is made of Garda
resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public,
? the
spokesperson stated.
“Senior Garda management is satisfied that a full and
comprehensive policing service continues to be delivered.
?