Helen Hall, Chief Executive Officer of the Policing and Community Safety Authority, wrote about Drug Related Intimidation and Violence in an opinion piece published on 18 October in The Irish Mail on Sunday.
For those being intimidated – help is at hand
Last Tuesday morning, we woke to the shocking and heartbreaking news that four lives had been lost in Waterford, and two children remained in critical condition in hospital due to an arson attack. Before anything else, it is important to acknowledge the profound tragedy of what happened in the Birchwood estate and the pain now being carried by loved ones, neighbours, first responders and an entire community.
Across Ireland, far too many families are living with fear because of organised crime, drug debt, coercion and intimidation. While drug gang violence often makes headlines, the quieter and less visible intimidation of ordinary people can be just as destructive. A mother answers the phone and hears threats against her child. A grandparent is told that unless a debt is paid, there will be consequences. A farmer is forced to sell machinery to keep the criminals away. These stories rarely make the front page, but they happen every day in communities across Ireland.
An important reflection for everyone in the country this week is that if you are buying drugs or using drugs, you played a part in the needless tragedy that occurred in Waterford. The central truth is simple: drug-related intimidation is not just a policing issue. It is a community safety issue that affects families, children and entire neighbourhoods across all socio-economic groups and all levels of society. If we want to make more progress in tackling it, we need a response that extends beyond law enforcement alone.
Some might argue that the answer is simply tougher enforcement. Sure, strong policing is undoubtedly essential. Gardaí must continue to pursue those who profit from misery and exploit vulnerable people. The successes achieved against organised crime demonstrate the value of determined intelligence-led policing. However, enforcement alone will never solve this problem. Breaking the cycle requires trust, support services, local partnerships and community engagement alongside policing.
From the PCSA’s engagement with communities, we learn that many people do not realise that there is at least one inspector in every garda division, 34 in total across the 21 divisions, with responsibility for listening to and assisting people experiencing drug-related intimidation. The fear people feel is understandable, but the clear understanding we have from An Garda Síochána is that they are always available to receive information confidentially and without the need for victims to make a formal statement.
DRIVE, which stands for Drug-Related Intimidation & Violence Engagement, is an interagency response, funded by the Department of Health, that brings together agencies representing key justice, health, policing, research, and community stakeholders to support people affected by drug-related intimidation. It provides guidance, support and practical assistance to victims and families.
While DRIVE recorded 1,027 cases of drug-related intimidation across 2024 and 2025, those figures are likely only part of the picture. Research studies show that reporting is believed to remain low because victims fear reprisals, worry about stigma, or simply do not know where to turn for help.
There is help available. Details of where to find help or support for you or a loved one are available at www.driveproject.ie
Public accountability and transparency also matter. The Policing and Community Safety Authority (PCSA) has had a strong focus on drug-related intimidation since it was established last year. Its most recent assessment of policing performance found that An Garda Síochána continues to achieve significant success in identifying, targeting and disrupting organised crime groups, with large quantities of drugs, cash and weapons being seized.
However, our report also highlighted an uncomfortable reality. Drug-related intimidation remains a significant problem, as does the exploitation and grooming of vulnerable people and children into organised crime. The challenge is not simply stopping crime after it happens; it is preventing people from becoming trapped in criminal networks in the first place. This requires an effective and comprehensive interagency response in which An Garda Síochána has a crucial crime prevention role to play.
The Authority will continue to press An Garda Síochána on its response to intimidation, coercion and the grooming of children and vulnerable people into organised crime. There is a planned discussion on drug-related intimidation at the next PCSA meeting in public with Commissioner Kelly in Cavan on Thursday, 29 October. Members of the public can register to attend the meeting or watch it live through the PCSA website and YouTube channel. Details are available on pcsaireland.ie
Helen Hall,
Chief Executive of the Policing and Community Safety Authority