Gardaí promise confidentiality for people with drug-related intimidation information
Flowers and tributes at the house in Birchwood Estate where members of the English family lost their lives. Photo: Joe Evans
"Nobody understands the fear."
Locals dealing with drug debt intimidation raised the issue at the recent Waterford Local Community Safety Partnership public meeting, looking for Garda guidance on how to report their fears safely.
Two questions on the same topic were sent in ahead of the meeting, which WLCSP Coordinator Eddie Mulligan combined into one, explaining the fear people are under, such as threats, violence and vandalism, and asking Gardaí how members of the public can meet with An Garda Síochána without giving evidence against their intimidators.
Superintendent Gavin Hegarty outlined Garda responses to drug-related intimidation, noting that there is a dedicated detective inspector based in Waterford City for the issue.
"I appreciate this is a sensitive time within the city in terms of this topic," the superintendent said, "but I want to assure our community that any person who wishes to report any such behaviour can do so confidentially and with confidence."
When a report is made to the Gardaí in a drug intimidation-related case, a family liaison person is appointed to their family and a risk and threat assessment is carried out, he said.
As part of the Drive Initiative, members of the public can also meet with Gardaí confidentially and safely at a place that is suitable for that person when reporting drug-related intimidation concerns.
Gardaí in Waterford also provide information on the appropriate support services for an individual or family who is accruing drug debts, how to make a formal complaint, what's involved in making a complaint, what happens afterwards and what the possible outcomes are.
The family support network, a peer-led organisation that supports families coping with drug-use nationwide, also works closely with An Garda Síóchána as a confidential service for people dealing with these issues.
"What I would say to members of our community who may be suffering from drug-related intimidation is that they can come to An Garda Síóchána in the confidence that we will treat any information they provide as confidential.
"Yes, we would like people to make statements so that we can progress with those statements to go to court and hold people to account, but sometimes people can't get to that point and that's okay.
"What's important for us as an organisation is that the information that they have is relayed to us because we can take that information and build intelligence and a case in relation to individuals that are carrying out this intimidation without necessarily having those people involved.
"Sometimes the information intelligence that we get from people coming to talk to us joins up with what we already know and allows us to approach investigations maybe from a different angle so that we can hold the people who are causing this impact and fear within our communities to account.
"We can only do that with the support of our communities by (people) coming to talk to us.
"So if there are people out there who are victims of drug-related intimidation, the first thing that we would ask them to do is to pick up the phone and talk to us. And we take it from there.
"Because it's only through talking to us and working with our communities that we would get to the bottom of drug-related intimidation."
Chief Superintendent Anthony Pettit echoed Superintendent Hegarty's response, adding that court appearances are not necessary if people have information but are in fear of repercussions.
"Whether that's of a confidential nature or you're in a position to come forward and go before the courts, we'll support you in whatever's right for you at that particular time," he said.
"I also have experience of persons coming forward on behalf of the family, so whether it's a local elected councillor, whether it's someone working in youth services, someone can come forward.
"You might not be in a position even to name the family, but you might be in a position to perhaps name some perpetrators and as in the case we're already dealing with, we have ongoing investigations in relation to various incidents and drug-related matters going on in the city.
"So any piece of intel or information that adds to that may provide further clarity in the case.
"Can people be prosecuted without the victims themselves having to come before courts? That is possible. It's not always possible, but it is possible."
Assistant Commissioner Paula Hillman reiterated the messages of sympathy shared at the meeting for the English family following the tragic events over the last couple of weeks, asking members of the public with information on intimidation in the community to come forward.
"We recognise the position that many families are in, and we want to work with those individuals and those communities, so that they can be safe and feel safe in their homes."
"And I know the work that is, has and will continue to bring those responsible to justice and to acknowledge the work of all the Garda members led by Chief Superintendent Pettit in Waterford in terms of that investigation.
"And just to acknowledge they dedicated all the Garda members and staff members across Waterford who have been working diligently in the past few weeks, given the really tragic circumstances of the murders of the English family."
