Addicts ‘pulling knives’ on retail and hospitality staff in Limerick

YOUNG staff working at city centre shops are afraid to take out bins due to the threat of encountering drug addicts, dealers and beggars.

That’s according to a local trader who addressed a special meeting organised by Limerick gardai.

Another businessman said the city centre is “like zombie land” early in the morning, with drug addicts wandering around aimlessly.

One trader said some beggars “are pulling knives, scissors and needles on people” when they are being asked to move out of doorways.

Another went further, saying that when staff ask people to leave outdoor seating areas, threats are being made on their lives.

A city centre store manager said he has been physically assaulted twice in his shop – and even when he was on a night out with his partner.

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One retailer, with more than 30 years experience in the city centre told the meeting – which drew over 50 traders – that things are at an “all time low” in Limerick.

Limerick Live was asked not to disclose the names of the traders who addressed the event.

This was in order to allow them to speak openly without fear of repercussion.

Supt Andrew Lacey, Henry Street garda station said officers are “under no illusion” in terms of the scale of the problems facing the city centre.

He said that from next month, 200 body cameras will be deployed on front-line gardai in the city.

But a number of retailers admitted they no longer contact the gardai when problems arise, given the length of time it takes them to respond.

Supt Lacey admitted that Operation Feabhsaigh, set up to tackle the sale and supply of drugs in King’s Island had pushed the issue of dealing in illegal substances from there to the city centre.