Garda chief urges Tipperary families suffering from drugs debt intimidation to seek help from gardaí

A Garda chief has urged Tipperary people and families being intimidated by drugs criminals over drugs debts to contact the gardaí for help and has assured them their problem will be dealt with confidentially.

Chief Superintendent of the Tipperary/Clare Garda Division Aileen Magner issued this appeal at the quarterly meeting of Tipperary Joint Policing Committee after Sinn Féin TD Martin Browne asked what was being done by the gardaí to address this problem.

The Cashel TD said they all knew people who died by suicide over drugs debts which were passed onto their families adding extra pressure to them.

Chief Supt. Magner said the gardaí were very cognisant of drugs related intimidation and violence in the Division.

She said family members were under ferocious pressure to pay debts for children and other relatives.

To those suffering this pressure she said: “Please come to us. You will be dealt with with the height of confidentiality. We can provide assistance to families.”

Garda Supt. Alan Cullen, who is based at Clonmel Garda Station, said people are very afraid to make a criminal complaint about being intimidated. If they come to the gardaí and share their problem in confidence, the gardaí can advise them on how best to deal with the problem.

“Our door is always open, and we will try and guide and assist them,” stressed the superintendent, who is over the Tipperary South Community Engagement Functional Area.

Chief Supt. Magner proposed they address the problem of drugs related initimidation in more detail at the next Joint Policing Committee meeting.