Town in Tipperary records third-highest drug convictions in state as national figures rise

Drug convictions in the Clonmel district court office were the third highest in the country in 2025 with 281 people convicted on drug offences, according to figures released by Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, a Fianna Fáil MEP.

Total convictions for drug offences in our District Court system rose from 5,202 in 2024 to 5,440 in 2025 — a 5% increase nationwide.

Ní Mhurchú argues these figures are only the tip of the iceberg, warning they point to a broader rise in drug use in Ireland that must be confronted head on.

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The increase in Clonmel was particularly notable, with convictions up 27% compared to 2024.By contrast, the Nenagh District Court office recorded a much lower total of 102 drug offence convictions in 2025, representing a 6% decrease year-on-year.

While most counties or District Court offices recorded falls in the number of persons convicted on drugs offences between 2024 and 2025, some District Court areas recorded massive jumps. That included Tullamore (+180%), Roscommon (+100%), Portlaoise (+95%), Clonmel (+27%), Mallow (+27%) and Waterford (+17%).

Ní Mhurchú, a former barrister, said the disparity in drug convictions across District Court offices warrants investigation. She added that drugs in the community are a major concern raised by parents, community leaders, pub owners, and Gardaí.

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The MEP has also previously highlighted a 37% year-on-year rise in drug-driving offences. The figures show that a small number of people were convicted in 2025 for attempting to smuggle drugs into prisons with greater numbers convicted of drug possession, possession for sale or supply, cannabis cultivation, and a small number of forged prescription cases.

Ní Mhurchú has called for the swift implementation of the governments National Drugs Strategy, 2026- 2029, a government policy initiative that is currently being finalised.

She also called for a raft of community-based sanctions against those convicted of recreational drug use, higher fines for casual drug use, more detox beds for those with addiction issues, restorative justice programmes and publicity campaigns to tackle social drug use.