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03/03/2010
'Legal High' Drug Ban Welcomed
A Government ban on a list of 'legal high' substances available from so called 'head shops' has been broadly welcomed in the Daíl.
Galway West Fianna Fáil TD, Frank Fahey, announced this morning that a range of products sold in headshops are to be banned by the Government by June.
Products facing the ban are known as Spice, Charge+, Snow Blow, White Ice, Magic and Liquid Ecstacy, while BZP Derivatives and Mephedrone will also be prohibited.
Welcoming the news, Deputy Fahey said it was just one step in the Government's approach to regulating the industry.
"I am delighted that a number of products sold in head shops are to be banned soon. Products known as Spice, Charge+, Snow Blow, White Ice, BZP Derivatives and Mephedrone, have all been added to a list for banning in Ireland.
"The substance Mephedrone has not yet been banned in the US or the UK so Ireland is taking a very proactive approach to tackling this problem head on.
"I called for the outright banning of these products at that start of this year. I have met with the Minister with Responsibility for Drugs John Curran TD about it on a number of occasions, and I am glad that such quick action has been taken.
"There is no doubt that these shops represent a significant threat to young and vulnerable people," he said.
Jan O'Sullivan, Labour's spokesperson on Health, welcomed the development but added that the ban would not address the problem on its own.
"A range of responses are necessary if these shops are to be controlled and regulated," TD O\Sullivan said.
"Deputy Joe Costello and I recently published a Bill on behalf of the Labour Party that would give local authorities the power to control the spread of Head Shops by making them subject to planning permission. I am now calling on the Government to accept our Bill and steer it through the Oireachtas in Government time."
Fine Gael Spokesperson on Drugs, Catherine Byrne, also welcomed the new laws on 'legal highs' but warned that head shops will still find loopholes to sell alternative products.
"The reality is that head shops currently operate as legitimate businesses, and until proper legislation is implemented they will be still able to sell them even if containing a variety of unknown ingredients, many of which pose very serious health risks."
(DW/BMcC)
Galway West Fianna Fáil TD, Frank Fahey, announced this morning that a range of products sold in headshops are to be banned by the Government by June.
Products facing the ban are known as Spice, Charge+, Snow Blow, White Ice, Magic and Liquid Ecstacy, while BZP Derivatives and Mephedrone will also be prohibited.
Welcoming the news, Deputy Fahey said it was just one step in the Government's approach to regulating the industry.
"I am delighted that a number of products sold in head shops are to be banned soon. Products known as Spice, Charge+, Snow Blow, White Ice, BZP Derivatives and Mephedrone, have all been added to a list for banning in Ireland.
"The substance Mephedrone has not yet been banned in the US or the UK so Ireland is taking a very proactive approach to tackling this problem head on.
"I called for the outright banning of these products at that start of this year. I have met with the Minister with Responsibility for Drugs John Curran TD about it on a number of occasions, and I am glad that such quick action has been taken.
"There is no doubt that these shops represent a significant threat to young and vulnerable people," he said.
Jan O'Sullivan, Labour's spokesperson on Health, welcomed the development but added that the ban would not address the problem on its own.
"A range of responses are necessary if these shops are to be controlled and regulated," TD O\Sullivan said.
"Deputy Joe Costello and I recently published a Bill on behalf of the Labour Party that would give local authorities the power to control the spread of Head Shops by making them subject to planning permission. I am now calling on the Government to accept our Bill and steer it through the Oireachtas in Government time."
Fine Gael Spokesperson on Drugs, Catherine Byrne, also welcomed the new laws on 'legal highs' but warned that head shops will still find loopholes to sell alternative products.
"The reality is that head shops currently operate as legitimate businesses, and until proper legislation is implemented they will be still able to sell them even if containing a variety of unknown ingredients, many of which pose very serious health risks."
(DW/BMcC)
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04 February 2010
McDaid Says Headshop Ban 'Huge Mistake'
A Fianna Fail TD has broken ranks by claiming the banning of headshops "is not the way forward". Despite a campaign by the Opposition party to ban the shops - which sell artificial highs and recreational drug substitutes - Deputy Jim McDaid said he believed that the country is "on the verge of making a huge mistake" if such shops are banned.
McDaid Says Headshop Ban 'Huge Mistake'
A Fianna Fail TD has broken ranks by claiming the banning of headshops "is not the way forward". Despite a campaign by the Opposition party to ban the shops - which sell artificial highs and recreational drug substitutes - Deputy Jim McDaid said he believed that the country is "on the verge of making a huge mistake" if such shops are banned.
13 December 2013
Glandia Create 90 New Jobs
Ninety new jobs are to be created in Co Monaghan and Co Dublin by food group Glanbia. Owners of the Aconmore and Premier brands, Glanbia plan to build a new UHT facility on Co Monaghan creating some 40 jobs. It will manufacture long-life diary products for markets in Asia, Europa and the Middle East.
Glandia Create 90 New Jobs
Ninety new jobs are to be created in Co Monaghan and Co Dublin by food group Glanbia. Owners of the Aconmore and Premier brands, Glanbia plan to build a new UHT facility on Co Monaghan creating some 40 jobs. It will manufacture long-life diary products for markets in Asia, Europa and the Middle East.
15 February 2010
Head Shop Fire Turns Up €500,000
The fire at a Dublin 'head shop' last week has lead to the discovery of €500,000 in cash under the building's floorboards, it has been revealed. Gardaí said today they are treating the fire at the legal drug supplying store as arson. The fire almost completely destroyed the unit and a number of neighbouring outlets last Friday.
Head Shop Fire Turns Up €500,000
The fire at a Dublin 'head shop' last week has lead to the discovery of €500,000 in cash under the building's floorboards, it has been revealed. Gardaí said today they are treating the fire at the legal drug supplying store as arson. The fire almost completely destroyed the unit and a number of neighbouring outlets last Friday.
12 February 2010
Head Shop Fire In Dublin City Centre
A fire has broken out at a shop on Capel Street in Dublin city centre this morning. The fire at the Nirvana Head Shop broke out this morning and the entire street is closed as a result. Several units of Dublin Fire Brigade and members of An Garda Siochána are at the scene. A small number of nearby homes have been evacuated.
Head Shop Fire In Dublin City Centre
A fire has broken out at a shop on Capel Street in Dublin city centre this morning. The fire at the Nirvana Head Shop broke out this morning and the entire street is closed as a result. Several units of Dublin Fire Brigade and members of An Garda Siochána are at the scene. A small number of nearby homes have been evacuated.
12 January 2010
Fine Gael Urge Strict Regulation For Head Shops
A Fine Gael spokesman has called for stricter regulations for Ireland's head shops. The party's spokesperson on the National Drugs Strategy, Catherine Byrne, said today said that it was "blindingly obvious" that head shops, which sell natural mood enhancers and drugs, require strict regulation because of the dangers of the products they sell.
Fine Gael Urge Strict Regulation For Head Shops
A Fine Gael spokesman has called for stricter regulations for Ireland's head shops. The party's spokesperson on the National Drugs Strategy, Catherine Byrne, said today said that it was "blindingly obvious" that head shops, which sell natural mood enhancers and drugs, require strict regulation because of the dangers of the products they sell.
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