Do official Garda drug stats match up to reality?

OFFICIAL drug possession statistics in Tallaght do not seem to reflect what is happening on the ground, according to TD Sean Crowe (SF).

At the recent JPC Policing Meeting, Deputy Crowe asked if the latest garda statistics match up with reality.

It was in response to the report for the Tallaght policing district which includes the latest figures for drug possession sale/supply and drug possession for personal use, statistics which are relatively similar to the corresponding period last year.

Possession of drugs for sale/supply decreased by 24 per cent, to 39 cases for the latest period in 2024.

Speaking at the JPC meeting, Deputy Crowe said: “Is there a focus on larger suppliers? There seems to be a relatively small amount (drug possession stats). Everyone says it’s never been as bad as it is now.

“The figures don’t reflect what’s happening in the community, and that’s not a criticism of gardai,” said Crowe.

Senior gardai at the JPC acknowledged Deputy Crowe’s point in relation to statistics but noted that 100 searches will not necessarily result in the discovery of 100 cases of drug possession.

Also speaking at the meeting, Grace Hill, coordinator with Tallaght Drugs and Alcohol Task Force, supported Deputy Crowe’s question, and stated that the recent seizure of crystal meth in Springfield is “very concerning.”

Ms Hill asked gardai if they have noticed an increase in crystal meth detection in Tallaght, but gardai said they would have to “revert” back to her on that.

Cllr Louise Dunne (SF) also raised concerns that people are not contacting gardai.

“A lot of people post on social media rather than report an incident to gardai – how do we deal with that?” asked Cllr Dunne.