GARDAÍ ARE investigating if two teenage boys who fell ill at a party in Co Sligo had consumed products sold in head shops.
The two boys, both aged 15 years, were hospitalised after they became unwell at a party in a derelict house in a wooded area off Hazelwood Road just outside Sligo town on Wednesday evening.
It is understood another teenager at the party called an ambulance for the two boys after they felt ill and their complexions turned pale.
They were given medical treatment by paramedics at the scene and were taken to Sligo General Hospital.
Local gardaí received an emergency call at 6.45pm from the ambulance crew to alert them that two of about 30 teenagers, aged between 13 and 16 years, who had gathered at the house required medical attention.
Gardaí believe one group of youngsters went to the derelict house for a party and were later joined by others from the area.
When gardaí arrived at the house most of the teenagers had dispersed.
Gardaí are now trying to determine if the two boys who were taken to hospital had smoked a substance that had earlier been bought at a head shop.
The two boys were discharged from hospital after a number of hours and are expected to make a full recovery.
While gardaí are investigating a link to head shops they have not ruled out the possibility that the substances consumed had been sold to the teenagers by local criminals.
It is understood several children present have told investigating gardaí that some of the substances consumed at the party had come from a head shop.
Sligo mayor Jim McGarry said the possible link between head shops and the incident on Wednesday evening underlined the need for an urgent review to the State’s policies on head shops.
“This is indicative of the growing drugs culture in Ireland today . . . Already the substance known as mephedrone (sold in some head shops) has been linked with 27 deaths in the UK.
“Unfortunately young people may underestimate the strength of these drugs due to the fact that they can buy them with as much ease as buying a packet of sweets.”
He urged the use of planning laws to “curtail the rapid growth of these shops”.
There are three head shops in Sligo. A fourth closed after a recent fire-attack.
Jochen Bellm, owner of the ESI shop in Sligo’s Market Yard, said he did not sell products to anybody aged under 18, and nor did he sell mephedrone.
“I have a very, very strict door policy,” he added.
Mr Bellm said suppliers and wholesalers needed to be regulated.
“The packaging should carry a verified list of ingredients. This could easily be implemented by the Government.”
He added: “The problem is that anybody can open a head shop.”