Vigilantes threaten to kill drug dealers
Leaflets which have been distributed across Cork threatening to kill drug dealers by "lethal force".
Gardaí have been made aware of the leaflets warning of consequences for people who continue to deal drugs.
The leaflets, distributed in the past week throughout the city and county, have been linked to the dissident republican group, the 32-County Sovereign Movement.
Leaflets were distributed at the weekend in pubs throughout Cork including in Passage West and Cobh.
The warning states: “There will be no more individual warnings or knocks on the door. This is your warning and if you continue to deal drugs then you will be held accountable for your actions by lethal force.”
The issue was raised at a Joint Policing Committee (JPC) meeting in Passage West on Monday night.
A garda source confirmed that the matter was under investigation and being taken seriously but added that the weekend incident was not an isolated one.
Passage West Town Councillor Clive Murphy was present when leaflets were distributed in a bar in the town over the weekend.
He said: “No-one really took much notice at the time because there was a birthday celebration going on.
“A lot of people read the leaflets and were fairly shocked and people are still talking about it locally.”
Cllr Murphy was one of the members of the JPC meeting on Monday and raised the issue when the group were discussing local policing.
JPC chairman Cllr Dave O’Byrne said: “You cannot combat crime with crime. If people are looking to work against drugs in communities that is great but it has to be done within the law.”
Senator Jerry Buttimer echoed the concerns of local councillors and said: “We cannot have private groups terrorising people like this. Gardaí are the law enforcement agency and we cannot allow vigilantes to govern people.”
Anyone concerned about drug dealing in their area is urged to report it to the confidential Dial to Stop Drug Dealing on 1800-220220.
