Clare MEP Criticises Funding Deficits For Combatting Drug Debt Intimidation

Clare's MEP is criticising what he's described as inadequate funding to tackle drug debt intimidation in the wake of the English family murders in Waterford. The Drug Related Intimidation & Violence Engagement Garda project, or DRIVE, receives €280,000 in government funding annually, with a further €65,000 allocated under Budget 2027. More than 1,000 incidents of drug-related intimidation were recorded in Clare between 2024 and 2025, with debts rising in some cases to more than €20,000. Scariff Independent MEP, Michael McNamara, says more needs to be done to tackle groups operating 'above the law'.