There is a sense of “utter hopelessness” in communities intimidated by gangs, local drug groups have told the Oireachtas.
And the problem has been compounded by government cutbacks, which have “devastated” community services.
Anna Quigley of Citywide Drugs Crisis Campaign told the Oireachtas Justice Committee that both long-term issues — such as tackling economic disadvantage — and immediate issues — such as diverting young people from gangs — needed to happen simultaneously.
“There is a sense of utter hopelessness and a feeling that people can do nothing about this and that we cannot stand up to these people,” she said.
Speaking at a special committee hearing on Gangland Intimidation, Ms Quigley said that 20 years ago communities did take to the streets and marched on the homes of drug dealers.
“That doesn’t happen any more —it doesn’t happen now because of the level of violence associated with the drug trade.”
She said that most people in the affected communities do not have direct experience of gangland intimidation.
“But the threat is implicit — you don’t cross people because you know what they can do. People describe it as a situation where you keep your eyes down, you don’t look around you, you mind your own business, you keep your mouth shut.”
She told the committee that it was almost impossible to describe the “corrosive and negative effect” intimidation has on communities, as it goes on every day.
Source: Cormac O'Keeffe, Irish Examiner, 11/12/14
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