Drug driving rates on the rise

The scale of the drug driving problem will soon catch up with drink driving, senior gardaí in the region have predicted.

Superintendent John Callanan made the comments as the latest figures for County Cavan showed there were 19 detections for drug driving in the first three months of 2024; as compared to 12 in the first quarter of 2023.

The senior garda was addressing the final meeting of this iteration of the Joint Policing Committee before the local elections.

Supt Callanan said the drug driving incidents were of "particular concern" describing them as "markedly up".

"I have heard people say we are essentially at the same levels for drink driving and drug driving - those figures wouldn't bear that out, but we are certainly moving in that direction," he observed.

Figures for drink driving show it remains the more common offence for now; there were 36 detections in the first quarter of 2024, fractionally down on the 39 for the same period in 2023.

Deputy Pauline Tully (SF) noted the lack of taxis or buses as being a factor in young people "taking the chance" to drink drive, which she emphasised, "they shouldn't do".

Regarding a media campaign on drug driving for younger people, Deputy Tully suggested that might target social media. It was a point taken up by Cllr T.P. O'Reilly. The Fine Gael man referred to a new campaign regarding the impact of fatal crashes and said a drug driving one would also need to be "very hard hitting".

Supt Callanan stressed "awareness is key" and noted they would have to "pivot and be adaptable" in spreading the message.

Chief Supt Alan McGovern: added "I don't think young people have grasped yet the implications of this in terms of travel, their employment prospects and in terms of health, which is most important."

He said there is a greater awareness of when it would be safe to drive again after drinking, but not so when it comes to drugs.

Cllr Brendan Fay (Ind) described drug driving as a "new phenomenon" saying he fears it is "rampant in our society". He asked if there was any way to highlight the impact on young people's lives.

"If you get caught drug driving - you're not going to America, you're not going to Australia, you're basically staying here."

Chief Supt McGovern said that they have had campaigns in schools, and suggests that it would be good to "utilise local heroes - sports people, to get the message across".

Supt Callanan had raised the issue of prescription drugs showing up in their tests. When clarification was sought by Cllr T.P. O'Reilly, he said his point was aimed at those who were misusing prescription drugs and driving - "that can't happen". But he further added it was a "valid question" to ask your GP whether you should drive for those legitimately taking a prescribed medication.

Burglary and thefts

Outside of drug driving, a rise in burglary and thefts from shops sparked discussion in the chamber.

To put the jump of 41% in burglary in perspective Chief Supt Alan McGovern, noted that it equated to a rise of 12 (from 29 to 41) in Q1 2023 to Q1 2024.

Asked by Deputy Tully about the increase in burglaries, if the figures suggested the work of a gang coming together from outside the area, Supt Callanan confirmed that was the case in some instances where thefts are in close proximity. He confirmed too that the burglary figures included the thefts of machinery from farms.

Cllr Patricia Walsh (FF) noted thefts from shops - which the figures showed had gone from 60 to 83 for the same quarter - was an issue in Cavan Town and elsewhere. She said small businesses are "struggling" and suggested that some of those responsible are repeat offenders.

"I don't know how you can solve that," she conceded.

When caught, the people are brought before the courts and receive "a slap on the knuckles", she suggested.

Chief Supt McGovern acknowledged the plight of struggling businesses, saying there's only so much the businesses can do. He also noted some of those who are committing the offences are also "finding it hard to make ends meet". He said such people need help from other agencies.

"Why are they reoffending? What's the reason for that?"