'Children as young as 11 lured with expensive goods to ferry drugs in Limerick’

CHILDREN as young as 11 and 12-years-of-age are being lured with expensive goods to ferry drugs around the city on their scooters.

That’s according to Aontu councillor and homelessness activist Sarah Beasley, who is part of a team working on a groundbreaking documentary.

The northside councillor has teamed up with Brian Hayes and cousins Conor and Mike Deedigan, who hail from Caherdavin, to work on the project which will explore how the problem of people without a place to live has ravaged the city.

She says the core of the issue around homelessness is drugs, and in particular addiction to crack cocaine.

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Speaking on Limerick Today, on Live95FM, she said youngsters are being sucked into a world with high-value gifts - and once they are in, it’s very hard for them to get out.

“I see young lads on scooters delivering the drugs into town. They are 11 and 12 -years-of-age. They are being dragged in. The promise of a good life might be a Rolex watch, or a Canada Goose jacket. But, my God, once they are in that system, there isn’t any way to get out,” she said.

The fact that illegal substances are generally cheaper and stronger in Limerick than, for example, Dublin forms part of the reason people are coming here from around the country.

“We are going to become the drug capital of Ireland,” Cllr Beasley warned.

This, she says, is most visible by night, because people who present as homeless from other parts of the country cannot avail of emergency hostel accommodation.

“It is really obvious in Limerick because we are such a small, compact city. There are new faces on the streets each day that I wouldn’t be familiar with. When I stop and ask them, they are coming to Limerick because of the drugs which are produced here,” said Cllr Beasley.

“Drugs are cheaper and stronger here,” she added.

The Aontu representative - elected last summer for the first time - warned sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise again.

“The prostitution from Limerick with those people in addiction is huge. HIV is on the rise again. Can you imagine? That’s because they are sharing needles, they are selling their bodies for sex. It doesn’t matter what their sexuality is, they will go with anybody to get a bag of craic which is €20,” said the councillor, who co-chairs a local anti-drugs taskforce alongside Mayor John Moran.

She acknowledged that is it tough for many people from Limerick to hear these stories about their city.

“At the end of the day, we have The Ryder Cup in two years’ time. I don’t want Americans coming into the city and that’s the impression they walk away from Limerick with,” Cllr Beasley added.

Behind every homeless person is a story, she said, and there are some truly heartbreaking tales to be told.

She referenced broken down families, and even homeless people in wheelchairs, not able to access the support they need.

On the documentary, a teaser video will be released in the coming weeks, in the hope of securing broadcasters and alternative channels to share the message nationwide.