There are drugs in every town and village in Leitrim - Warnock

"There is a serious drug problem in this country," Cathaoirleach Cllr Justin Warnock said at the most recent Joint Policing Committee after a presentation was given by Sé McCormack, Detective Superintendent, Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.

Cllr Warnock said that he had seen people "openly selling drugs in broad daylight" and said in every village and town "there is someone you can go to to get drugs" adding that he felt "we don't meet it head on". 
He was speaking after Detective Supt. McCormack stated that the 2023 Global Peace Index reveals the most peaceful countries in the world with Ireland in third place.  
Detective Supt. McCormack said that Global Peace Index has "23 separate indicators as to how they measure it" and said "it's highlighting the number of deaths from external and internal conflicts" as well as level of perceived criminality, political instability, impact of terrorism, number of homicides and level of violent crime, etc. 

He said that in comparison to a "significant amount of the population, we are far better off and improving."

Cllr Felim Gurn agreed with the remarks and said that funding for CCTV in villages and towns was vital and "do help the Guards to do their jobs". 

He continued that "years ago everybody knew the Guards in the local Garda station" but said that is not the case now. 

He remarked: "There needs to be more engagement at local level with the Guards to get to know them and point out the problems that are there."

Detective Supt. McCormack said that CCTV "must be used properly but can be very beneficial as a investigative tool and often changes behaviour for the better."

He continued that "Gardaí are in and of the community" and often are members of clubs in and around the area. 

Cllr Brendan Barry said intimidation is on the increase and said he was contacted by an individual who is being intimidated. "I believe it's a large factor in why some Gardaí are leaving the job," he added. 

He said families around the country have been put under pressure to sell land "and it's affected farms and businesses where they had to pay off drug debts for family members."

Full story in next week's Leitrim Observer...