Ferris calls for public support of Garda in fight against drug crime

Illegal drugsKerry North Sinn Féin TD Martin Ferris called for public assistance for the Garda in the battle against drug-pushing.

He said drug gangs in Dublin, Limerick, Cork and elsewhere had declared war on society, and said the Garda, the Government and wider society needed to tackle it.

"I am a republican all my life and like many republicans have been at the receiving end of political policing, particularly the 'heavy gang'," he said.

"But I am unequivocal in saying that the Garda need and deserve the support of local communities, elected representatives and everybody else in the fight against crime, particularly the scourge of drugs."

Mr Ferris told delegates that the Garda had his support, as well as the support of his party and republicans across the island.

He said he had been a member of the joint policing committee in Tralee since its establishment, and he would continue to engage with the Garda locally, as well as the Government, to ensure that the needs of his constituents and others were addressed.

"We cannot be defeatist in the face of a problem that affects our quality of life in such a fundamental way. It is vital that the gardaí have the resources and strategy to combat organised crime," he said.

"However, we must also ensure that communities retain their cohesion, as this is the best way to ensure that young people in particular do not become sucked into anti-social behaviour and drug abuse.

"This is the reason it is so important that communities have access to employment and good-quality housing, and that local sports and other community organisations be encouraged to thrive and provide alternatives for people of all ages."

Waterford councillor David Cullinane said recent drug-related deaths in the county had highlighted a national crisis.

"The recent Waterford tragedies have thrown out of the water completely the myth that cocaine use is harmless and merely recreational," he said. "There is not a town, a village or city not affected by the scourge of drugs."

Recently, Mr Cullinane said, the media had gone into overdrive on the cocaine issue, which he said was welcome. He added that it was a problem affecting all social classes.

Party justice spokesman Aengus Ó Snodaigh said Sinn Féin public representatives were meeting residents' associations, tenants' groups, statutory agencies and others in a variety of settings, including joint policing committees, to identify effective community safety solutions and to progress the party's proposals.