Drug gangs are intimidating people across County Monaghan, the coordinator of Teach na nDaoine Family Resource Centre in Monaghan town has said. Packie Kelly told Northern Sound on Friday, 16 October, that people are often afraid to seek help when criminals target them.
"Within the county, I would have been approached about drug intimidation issues that are unfortunately alive in the county of Monaghan," he said.
How it works locally
Mr Kelly described how users are kept in line. "For some of the people who would be using drugs, if they don't do their [drug gang's] wishes then they don't get supplied with any stuff," he said.
"If they build up debts, then the pressure comes on extended family members to pay them."
He wants the Government to put more resources and funding into tackling addiction and intimidation locally, and said reporting must be made safer. "The anonymity of people reporting issues has to be taken more seriously and channels have to be developed so that people can report [intimidation], and feel safe about reporting," he said.
1,027 cases nationally, in every county
The comments come a day after a DRIVE (Drug Related Intimidation and Violence Engagement) conference in Portlaoise heard that drug-related intimidation is happening in every county, RTÉ reported. The project recorded 1,027 cases in 2024 and 2025. Most debts were between €1,000 and €4,999, and cocaine was linked to almost 60% of cases.
Detective Superintendent Sé McCormack of the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau said reporting rates are low and that gardaí "won't call to your house" but will meet victims "at a place and in a format that suits you". The Garda Commissioner has nominated 34 inspectors across 21 divisions under the Drug-Related Intimidation Programme.
The issue is in focus nationally after Philip and Kim English and their sons Callum and Jayden died in a firebomb attack on their home in Waterford on Tuesday. The family's son told RTÉ they were killed because of someone else's €20,000 drugs debt.
Where to get help
Mr Kelly said anyone facing threats can turn to Teach na nDaoine or An Garda Síochána. Gardaí say every division has a nominated inspector who deals with drug-related intimidation in confidence.