Heroin users terrorise pensioner in her home

Independent councillor Mike Cubbard made the claim following a specially-convened meeting of locals to tackle the rising problem of heroin abuse.

And residents in the Westside and Newcastle areas have been assured that reports made to Gardaí on heroin dealing and use will be entirely anonymous.

Around 40 locals met in the Westside Community Centre last week to discuss the increase in drug activity in the area in recent months.

Used hypodermic needles as well as burnt tin foil – used for smoking heroin – have been found at the old playground at Corrib Park, at the pitch in Laurel Park and in Claremont Park.

Locals have been urged by Gardaí to report any suspicious activity immediately, as it will afford them the opportunity to apprehend drug users and dealers.

Cllr Cubbard said: “The Community Garda explained that heroin has become a serious problem, not just in the Westside, but across the city over the past 18 months.

“People are seeing drug use going on, but not reporting it until a few days or a week later, if at all. Ring the guards there and then and report it, otherwise there’s nothing they can do. They have to catch them in the act, and they have already limited resources

“They will not ask for your name, it’s completely anonymous, and they will not phone you back. They have given an assurance on that.

“I had a lady of about 70 tell me that she was terrorised one night by people banging on her window looking for tin foil.

“I’ve been on to the Council, to get areas with a lot of shrubbery, or that are overgrown, cut back. That will reduce the number of places these people can go to take drugs or deal.

“Everyone knows who these people are. The Gardaí have to catch them in the act,” said Cllr Cubbard.