Inspector Joe Doherty, responding to a question from Fine Gael councillor Michelle Mulherin about drug detection in the town, outlined the work done by the drugs squads in Mayo. He informed the Ballina joint policing committee that the number of seizures of drugs in the Ballina area has risen dramatically in the past 10 years. “In the Ballina district in 1999 there were eight seizures of drugs,” he said. “In 2009 there were 48, which included three for cocaine, four for ecstasy for sale and supply, two for possession of ecstasy, 22 for possession of cannabis resins, and three for sale and supply of cannabis resin. There were also 10 seizures for personal use of cannabis grass and one for sale and supply of cannabis grass.”
Inspector Doherty praised the work of the detective sergeant over the unit and the different members who are assigned to the unit from time to time. He also told the meeting that the drugs gardaí work very closely with community gardaí in the town.
Independent councillor Gerry Ginty raised the issue of headshops in the town and asked what plans the Inspector had to deal with them. Inspector Doherty told the meeting: “The gardaí have just carried out an operation in the town where we had plain clothes gardaí in the area of the shops, and speak to the people coming in and out of the shops asking them questions, including their age and the like. I have also taken it upon myself and my sergeants to visit the shop and speak to them in regards to the their responsibilities under the Children’s Act which made it an offence to sell anything to a minor which could be abused. We have brought this to the attention of the operators, and if there is a complaint from a parent or minor it will be investigated fully and we will be looking for legal advice on how to proceed.”
