Kelly O’Brien
Gardai in Cork have confirmed that a number of vigilantes are operating in Mahon, attempting to tackle the area’s drug problem.
The group is allegedly responsible for a number of serious attacks on suspected drug dealers in the area. It is understood that the victims were beaten by baseball bats in both incidents.
One of the victims required medical treatment and is currently recovering in hospital.
Local city councillor Chris O’Leary has called on those responsible to stop what they are doing, saying it wasn’t too late for them to “come back from vigilantism”.
“I understand their frustration. They’re reacting to something they think is not being challenged by the proper authorities,” he said.
“But the problem here is that things will escalate and innocent people will get hurt. Or worse.”
While beatings involving baseball bats are already incredibly serious, Cllr O’Leary said he is concerned that even deadlier weapons will be used in further attacks if the situation is not resolved soon.
“While one group goes out with a baseball bat, another will go out with something more dangerous. I am very concerned about that. I would say to people not to become involved in taking the law into their own hands because that doesn’t solve anything,” he said.
“I’m asking people – as a local community member, as a public representative, and as the chair of the city’s Joint Policing Committee – to put their efforts into assisting Gardai instead of into vigilantism. The community needs to stand together, but it needs to do so within the law.”
News of the vigilante group emerged following reports of increased drug activity in Mahon.
In recent weeks, a young child found four bags of heroin in his estate, which he brought back to his house. It was later handed in to Gardai.
Speaking earlier this week at the Mahon and Blackrock Community Safety Forum, Garda Sergeant Fergus Twomey separately said that tackling drug use in the area is an ongoing battle. He said heroin use, in particular, is on the rise.
Drug parties and syringes being thrown into back gardens are among the problems that residents have reported. In one case, a resident has found 11 syringes in his back garden, over time.
“Heroin is a scourge on not only this community but every community across the country,” said Sgt Twomey.
“I go to the inquests at the coroner’s court every Thursday and I’ve seen a huge upsurge in relation to the amount of deaths due to heroin use and polydrug use, which is multi-drug use or drugs combined with alcohol. It’s still there, and more so than it was last year or the year before.”
According to the latest Garda figures, there has been a marked increase in drug detections in the Mahon in the last few months.
“We’re up 10% year-on-year in relation to detections for dealing. It’s still there, still on the radar. We’re targeting it and have searched a number of houses around Blackrock and Mahon,” said Sgt Twomey.
“It’s not something that can be fixed in 24-hours, but it is something that we’re strenuously trying to fix and if we get information about any anti-social behaviour or drug activity or drug dealing or selling, we’re all over it and we don’t tolerate it. But it’s a matter of getting evidence. I can assure you it’s not for a lack of trying on the part of the Gardaí. It is an ongoing operation.”
One resident admitted they were “completely frustrated” with the situation and sick of “living in fear”.
They claimed their particular estate has a drug den which sees raging parties from morning to night.
“There’s loads of heroin going on. Every morning at 9am, it’s ‘boom, boom, boom’ and they’re going in the door and getting wrecked off their heads on heroin,” they said.
“What does it take? Does a child have to die before anyone does something about this?”
Sgt Twomey confirmed the Gardaí were aware of the house in question, and that they are monitoring the situation.
He encouraged members of the public to contact their local gardaí with any information about drug use or anti-social behaviour in their area.
He said even a seemingly insignificant piece of information may prove vital.
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