Pubdate: Mon, 14 May 2001
Source: Irish Times, The (Ireland)
Copyright: 2001 The Irish Times
Section: Paper Round
Contact:  http://www.ireland.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/214
Author: Sean Kilfeather

DRINK AND DRUGS IN RURAL TOWNS

Violence in our towns and cities continues to be a topic for the regional 
newspapers. Alcohol and drugs are indentified as contributing to the 
problem. The Kildare Nationalist headlines its report "Availability of 
drugs is frightening." It goes on to report: "Widespread availability of 
drugs in rural Ireland is one of the most frightening developments of 
recent years," says Kildare South Deputy, Mr Jack Wall. The TD is reported 
as saying that "the gardai know of the huge upsurge in drug dealing outside 
cities with drug gangs seeking out new markets in which to ply their vile 
trade".

The Leitrim Observer has a front-page headline which says there is "Concern 
at increasing level of violence among young people". The report, by Donal 
O'Grady, says: "In a well-supported motion tabled at the last meeting of 
Leitrim County Council, Cllr Thomas Mulligan, expressed his concern at the 
increasing level of violence on the streets of our towns, particularly at 
weekends and after disco hours".

The Mayo News reports: "A Westport man who assaulted three other men during 
a row outside a local pub has received a four-month suspended prison term." 
The defendant had pleaded not guilty. The Roscommon Champion reports: "A 
young man who grunted at a patrol car in The Square in Roscommon was fined 
pounds 400." The court was told that earlier the man had insulted gardai by 
referring to them as "f . . . ing pigs" and was later "abusive in custody".

The same paper reported that another young man who "pleaded guilty to 
possession of a knife in Roscommon town had his case adjourned for a 
probation report".

The Donegal People's Press reports that a garda "saw a group of youths 
trying to separate two men after a fight outside a nightclub. A man was 
fined pounds 40.

The Roscommon Herald says: "Two 16-year-old students were taken to 
Castlerea Garda station after they were found seriously intoxicated. The 
students, male and female, were found suffering from what (a garda) 
described as overindulgence in alcohol. Both were taken to the Garda 
station and a doctor was called."

The Bray People reports: "Alarm at rise in heroin use". The paper said: 
"Growing numbers of Bray teenagers are becoming addicted to heroin as hard 
drugs make a return to the town's streets. Gardai have confirmed an 
increase in the level of drug detections in the town in recent times, while 
community sources say that heroin appears to be readily available in 
several estates in the town."

The Sligo Champion gives front-page prominence to a report which says: 
"Amid fears of a growing drug problem in the region, calls have been made 
for a substantial increase in the number of gardai deployed in the special 
drugs units in Sligo and Leitrim."

The Corkman headlines on its front page: "Gardai appeal for help in two sex 
attacks over the weekend".

The Nationalist and Leinster Times reports: "A foreign national was 
attacked and beaten to the ground by four locals along Tullow Street in the 
centre of Carlow town in the early hours of Sunday morning." Four men were 
later arrested and the paper reports that there may be further arrests.

Tourism is another topic which is treated widely in the regional papers. 
The Donegal Democrat leads its front page with the news that "plans have 
been revealed for a Celtic Music Festival which it is proposed will be held 
across the county and is hoped will bring millions in off-season revenue to 
the tourist industry. The festival is planned to run on a yearly basis in 
several towns throughout the county, starting February, 2003."
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager