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People in Ireland are dying from drugs at a rate that is three times higher than the EU average The tepid response to the report from the Oireachtas Committee on Drugs Use from government is hugely disappointing, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is chair of the Committee, said: “In […]

Personal possession of drugs for one’s own use should cease to be treated as a criminal matter and should instead be met with a health-led approach, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is Chair of the Oireachtas Drugs Committee, said: “The Committee recommends the repeal of section 3 of the […]

Criminal legal aid is the glue that holds our justice system together – and the Minister seems determined to destroy it The Justice Minister must release the report he is using as a pretext to take a sledgehammer to the criminal legal aid scheme, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon said: […]

The Justice Minister’s handling of this fiasco has been unnecessarily divisive, combative and utterly cackhanded The Justice Minister’s proposed hatchet job on criminal legal aid will decimate it and cripple the legal system, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon said: “The Justice Minister’s proposed hatchet job on criminal legal aid, and […]

The introduction of a flat-fee system for legal aid representation will effectively dismantle a system which, while not perfect in many respects, functions well when it comes to safeguarding the right to effective legal representation and the right to a fair trial, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon said: “The system […]

The coming into force of the migration pact is a retrograde step for migrants rights in Ireland and across Europe, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon said: “I have major concerns about this pact, not least the real risk that we will see children detained in Ireland while their applications are […]

It is beyond belief that no addiction nurses are employed in Irish prisons, despite the majority of inmates suffering from addiction, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon said: “We know that addiction is one of the primary drivers of the low level offending that makes up a massive proportion of our […]

The Taoiseach and Minister for Justice must meet with the survivors of convicted paedophile Bill Kenneally and deliver a State apology to those who fought long and hard for justice, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon said: “At the outset, I want to state that it is outrageous that victims were […]

No stone should be left unturned in the investigation into the death of a Congolese man in Dublin last week, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon TD. Deputy Gannon said: “A video circulating on social media which depicts an incident surrounding the death of a Congolese man, Yves Sakila, on Henry Street on […]

The drug trade must not be allowed to ravage our most disadvantaged areas any longer, according to Social Democrats Councillor Daniel Ennis and justice spokesperson Gary Gannon TD. Councillor Ennis said: “Over 1,000 cases of drug-related intimidation were recorded by drug and alcohol services in 2025, which affected all age groups, including children and the […]