Pubdate: Tue, 7 Dec 1999 Source: Irish Independent (Ireland) Copyright: Independent Newspapers (Ireland) Ltd Contact: http://www.independent.ie/ Author: Brian McDonald STUDENTS NOW TARGET OF RAILWAY STATION DRUG GANGS Drug dealers are targeting students and young workers who have moved to Dublin. They prey on young passengers using Heuston station, which gardai say has become a lucrative location for the supply of a wide range of illegal substances. Cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis are all being supplied to the huge crowds converging daily on the country's busiest rail station. Students and young workers arriving in the capital or leaving Dublin for the weekend are the main target for the dealers, Drug Squad gardai have confirmed. Yesterday a judge warned that Heuston Station would come under closer scrutiny by gardai in the immediate future. Judge John Garavan was commenting at Galway District Court after hearing how a 27-year-old Dublin man bought ecstasy and cocaine at the train station in Dublin before travelling to Galway. Simon O'Brien of Foxhill Park, Airfield, had been having a drink in the bar at Heuston Station when the opportunity arose to buy the drugs, solicitor Benen Fahy told the court. O'Brien admitted having possession of one ecstasy tablet and 0.334gm of cocaine when challenged by gardai in Galway last July. He had come to Galway for a concert as part of the Galway Arts' Festival and the court heard that over 100 people had appeared on drug charges - all surrounding the annual Arts Festival - in the last fortnight. O'Brien was fined pounds 200. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D