Limerick-born TD speaks about drug use and legalisation

LIMERICK-BORN Green Party TD Neasa Hourigan has revealed she has taken cocaine and ecstasy, while also calling for the legalisation of both cannabis and sex work.

In a Hot Press article, the TD also said that cocaine and heroin should be de-criminalised.

Ms Hourigan, originally from the North Circular Road, whose father Michael Hourigan is a former Fine Gael councillor and mayor of Limerick, stated that she would have “no qualms” about going into coalition with Sinn Féin.

Ms Hourigan opened up about her rebellious student days.

“I tried it (cocaine) twice and I liked it so much I didn’t try it again. And that’s a scary thing. I didn’t like myself on it. It was like a hyper-version of myself. It gave me a fright,” Ms Hourigan said.

She also spoke about her experience with trying ecstasy.

“It didn’t change my life or anything. I wasn’t going looking for it every weekend. It wasn’t a big thing for me, honestly. I’ve tried lots of different things,” Ms Hourigan added.

The Limerick-born TD said she doubted that 160 TDs, plus Senators “have lived a life having not done multiple types of drugs.

“Like, that’s utterly unbelievable. It’s ridiculous lying when they say they haven’t done it,” she added.

On the overall criminalisation of narcotics, Ms Hourigan said "I don’t think you should criminalise somebody who is taking a drug.”

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In regards to her views on cannabis use - she said "we have such a high percentage of people who are safely using it, that we should just legislate for it.”

In terms of legalising sex work, Ms Hourigan expressed frustration that in Ireland, “we confuse sex trafficking with sex work."

"Actually, we are one of the worst EU countries for prosecuting people for people trafficking," she said.

"And yet we criminalise sex workers on the basis of trafficking,” she added.