Patrols at sea by the Revenue Commissioners’ maritime unit are a key theme of a new documentary made by RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta (RnaG) on cocaine use on the west coast.
Customs officers with the Revenue Commissioners’ patrol vessel were interviewed during patrols off the Co Clare coast for the documentary, made by leading RnaG journalist Cóilín Ó Neachtain.
In the documentary, entitled Snaoisín Bán, Ó Neachtain investigates the problem of cocaine use in Conamara and wider Co Galway.
Garda figures indicate that there was an increase of more than 50% in the number of people caught in possession of cocaine in Conamara in 2022, compared to the previous year.
The Customs Maritime Vessel approaches a ship Photo: RnaG
In the programme, members of an Garda Síochána speak about their experience of this growing problem, and the work of the Customs and the Revenue Commissioners Maritime Unit to keep drugs out of the country is also documented.
Ó Neachtain also speaks to two healthcare professionals, addiction counsellor Joe Treacy and GP Michael Casey, about their experience of this issue and the very serious health implications. There is also a “damning assessment” of the services available for addicts in Co Galway.
One young man interviewed for the radio programme describes how his cocaine habit escalated from one line to a €500 a day habit.
It cost him his job, his relationship, and his health, before he finally got help. The programme profiles the services available in the Bushypark Addiction Treatment Centre in Ennis, Co Clare.
Snaoisín Bán airs today, Wednesday, February 8th, on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta at 1405 hours.
