Cathal Doherty, 21 Jul
ALMOST 1,300 people have been arrested in Limerick for drug offences
since 2018 with the number of arrests annually ranging from 206 to 262.
This number (1,296) puts Limerick as the third highest county for drug
arrests in the country behind Dublin and Cork.
Figures for 2023, show 100 arrests were made up to June 6.
Aontú representative for Limerick Sarah Beasley commented: “Hardly a
week goes by without a substantial drug seizure in the county, the
National Garda Anti-Drugs Operation, Operation Tara, has had several
high-value seizures in the city over the past few months.
[Askeaton_leisure-1675354337962.jpg--_massive_leak__repaired_at_limeric
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'Massive leak' repaired at Limerick swimming pool
"Operation Tara was set up to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute drug
trafficking networks, all law-abiding citizens should be supportive of
this work.
“Aontú believes we need more Gardaí in Limerick, both in the city and
county, an increase is especially needed to tackle anti-social
behaviour, burglaries and drug related crime. Ireland has the second
lowest number of gardaí per population in the whole of the EU.
“This government has been negligent as it allowed a situation to
develop whereby only 150 new recruits started in the garda training
college in Templemore last year, the target had been for 800 new
recruits. Concerningly approximately 500 Gardaí left the force last
year through a mixture of retirements and resignations,” she said.