Families in fear over drugs-related intimidation in Kilkenny

Families in Kilkenny are suffering at the hands of criminal thugs who are intimidating them over the drug debts of loved ones causing fear and creating ‘a living hell’ for many according to a Kilkenny TD.

“Drug use and the availability of drugs is at a crisis point in Kilkenny, no community is spared or safe,” said Deputy John McGuinness.

“What follows for many families is the ongoing threats from suppliers when payment is delayed or when a debt accumulates. The threats are followed by intimidation, extreme damage to property and beatings.”

“Innocent family members and associates are targeted and their lives are made a living hell,” he added.

“They are told to pay up or suffer the consequences which can be horrific.

“In Kilkenny family homes have been vandalised, cars set on fire and innocent parties threatened in their workplaces. I have seen the terrible devastation that drugs cause to families.

“Vast sums of money are being repaid, all because of drugs. Out of fear, families put their lives on hold and pay up.”

Deputy McGuinness said that the successful efforts of gardaí to dismantle the drugs trade at international level must now be repeated at national level.

“Root out the criminals, their associates, their mules and destroy their networks,” he urged.

Meanwhile, gardaí in Kilkenny acknowledge that drugs-related intimidation is a tactic being used by drug dealers and criminal networks to try and instill fear in communities in order to protect their criminal activities.

“I have seen at first hand the devastating impact this intimidation has on families,” said a senior Kilkenny-based garda spokesperson.

We have a robust response to this intimidation and we have had significant success in Kilkenny. We have had a number of successful prosecutions in Kilkenny related to false imprisonment, money laundering and assaults, all of which were reported as a result of drugs-related prosecution.”

“I recognise that this intimidation can be a very difficult and frightening experience for families and gardaí are always focused on the victims of this type of intimidation and on protecting them and getting them the support and advice that they need.

“We went to send out a clear message to communities in Kilkenny. We understand that some people may be reluctant to contact gardaí about drugs-related intimidation for a variety of reasons and we want to assure people we are available to speak to them in confidence.

“A lot of people we deal with do not want to make formal complaints and we don’t want to pressure them to do so. We can meet people informally and discreetly and help and advise them as best we can. Every case, conversation and report is handled sensitively and in confidence. We are here to listen, support and help people and families who are experiencing drugs-related intimidation. It is important to recognise that in addition to the criminal prosecutions, gardaí are working with people and helping them without any formal complaints being made.”

The senior garda also highlighted that all people engaging in recreational drug use on a personal basis, even infrequently, are contributing to the ongoing issues across the city and county in relation to the criminality, intimidation and violence being perpetrated on innocent parties by criminals.

Anyone with relevant information is asked to contact Kilkenny gardaí on 056- 7775000 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666 -111