Drug convictions almost double in Portlaoise

DRUG convictions at Portlaoise District Court have almost doubled in just one year.

New figures show that the number of drug-related convictions in Portlaoise soared by 95 per cent last year compared to 2024.

The increase was the second highest nationally, lower only than Tullamore District Court where the number of convictions rose by 180 per cent from 2024 to 2025.

There were 248 convictions in Portlaoise last year for possession and/or sale or supply of drugs, while there were 171 in the Tullamore District Court area.

The figures were highlighted today by MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, a former barrister, who noted what she described as ‘massive jumps’ in drug convictions in the midlands. She said the disparity in drug convictions across district court office areas ‘warrants investigation’.

The MEP said in a statement: ‘Whilst district court drug convictions in many Irish towns have remained relatively stable or declined, some towns and counties have recorded significant rises in the number of people convicted in our district court system on drugs offences.’ 

Nationwide, total convictions for drug offences in the district court system rose by five per cent, from 5,202 in 2024 to 5,440 in 2025. Ní Mhurchú argues that convictions are ‘only the tip of the iceberg’, warning that they point to ‘a broader rise in drug use in Ireland that must be confronted head on’.

Not surprisingly, Dublin topped the table of drug convictions with 2,071 in 2025, up 11 per cent on 2024, while Cork was second with 504, down seven per cent on 2024. Clonmel came next at 281, a 27 per cent increase on 2024, while Portlaoise was fourth at 248, followed by Limerick, Mallow, Tullamore, Tralee, Waterford and Galway all making the top ten.

Ms Ní Mhurchú said: ‘While most counties or district court offices recorded falls in the number of drug convictions between 2024 and 2025, some district court areas recorded massive jumps. That included Tullamore (+180 per cent), Roscommon (+100), Portlaoise (+95), Clonmel (+27), Mallow (+27) and Waterford (+17).

‘Other notable trends in the figures include a sharp decline in the number of drug convictions in West Cork … but a surge in drug convictions in the midlands (Tullamore District Court office +180) Portlaoise (+95) and Longford (+24).’ 

She added that drugs in the community are a major concern raised by parents, community leaders, pub owners and gardaí. The MEP has also previously highlighted a 37 per cent year-on-year rise in drug-driving offences.

The figures show a small number of convictions in 2025 for attempting to smuggle drugs into prisons, with greater numbers convicted of drug possession, possession for sale or supply, cannabis cultivation and a small number of forged prescription cases.

Ms Ní Mhurchú called for the swift implementation of the government’s National Drugs Strategy 2026- 2029, a government policy initiative that is currently being finalised. She also called for a raft of community-based sanctions against those convicted of recreational drug use, higher fines for casual drug use, more detox beds for those with addiction issues, restorative justice programmes and publicity campaigns to tackle social drug use.