Plans to open drug ‘shooting galleries’ in Cork and Limerick are being considered by the Irish Government, pending evaluation of Dublin’s pilot scheme.
The Medically Supervised Injecting Facility (MSIF) is a government-funded space that allows addicts to inject illegal substances without risk of arrest.
Merchants Quay Ireland, the country’s first MSIF, will apply for a renewal of its licence to stay open for the rest of the year. The evaluation report is expected later this year.
Lost the war?
Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill noted: “Interest has been expressed in establishing a medically supervised injection centre, and/or a mobile facility, in Cork and Limerick.”
A statement from the Department of Health said: “The findings of the evaluation will inform future decisions on applications for licences for facilities in Dublin and elsewhere, depending on local need.”
However, radio presenter and podcaster Niall Boylan suggested that MSIF supporters “argue that we have lost the war on drugs and at least they are injecting in a safe manner”, but asked, “would you build a free pub for alcoholics?”
Rising quickly
According to Ireland’s National Drug Treatment Reporting System, 2025 saw the highest number of drug treatment cases ever reported at 15,422, an increase of 2,127 from 2024 (excluding alcohol cases).
The Government Health Research Board’s senior researcher Dr Anne-Marie Carew explained: “We’re seeing a growth in drugs such as new psychoactive substances, ketamine, nitrous oxide, along with the way in which people are using drugs.
“The numbers here are relatively small, but they are rising quickly, especially among younger people.”
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