From the HOPE Archives: Deprivation in Dublin's North Inner City (2016)

This article was originally posted by Hopehandson.com to Hopehandson.com/blog on November 1, 2016.

The prevalence of prescription drug-dealing and the severe lack of drug-free recovery centres in Dublin’s north inner city are some of the challenges facing the area, according to its leaders.

“We held a community brainstorming session to inform the government task force that’s being set up to address the issues of deprivation in the north inner city,” addiction counsellor and manager at Hope, Irene Crawley, told the Irish Examiner.

Irene Crawley (Hope Manager), Christy Burke (Independent City Councillor & Former Lord Mayor), Mary Fitzpatrick (Former TD, Fianna Fáil), Niall Ring (Independent City Councillor)

The session followed a visit by Taoiseach Enda Kenny to the area last week, where he promised that a taskforce for the north inner city would be established.

About 100 leaders including TDs, councillors, activists and volunteers, came together yesterday to discuss matters such as policing, housing, and addiction and recovery.

Mary Lou McDonald, Niall Ring, Joe Costello, TBC, Christy Burke, TBC, Mary Fitzpatrick

Long-time community activist and former Labour minister Joe Costello said there was one issue above all that plagued the north inner city.

“Mountjoy Prison is the biggest drug treatment facility in the country and there is no link-up when a prisoner comes out. It’s a nightmare,” he said.

“This is the issue that deserves the most immediate attention. There is a probation service there but there is nothing that connects the prison with clinics, services and local authorities.

“It’s all fragmented, there is no co-ordination.”

Irish Examiner "Deprivation of Dublin’s inner city", 23 June 2016. Available here. Originally accessed: July 2016