By Diarmaid Doherty
A new specialised Garda ‘detector’ dog which is trained to detect drugs like cannabis and cocaine, is to be located in Donegal.
The sniffer dog will be an important addition to the county’s Garda Drugs Unit with a dog handler also to be appointed.
The news was confirmed at a meeting of the Donegal Joint Policing Committee last week by Superintendent Aidan Glackin.
And it has been welcomed by Donegal County Councillor Michael McClafferty who has long campaigned for such a service.
“It’s great news and it’s long overdue,” the Falcarragh councillor told the Donegal News.
“But when you think that this will be the first such dog to be located in Donegal after all these years, it’s very disappointing that it has taken so long.
“There are dog units in so many other parts of the country, but we’ve never had one here.
“I have campaigned for this for a long time now. I think it’s important to recognise that the Gardaí have taken on board that this was needed and the fact that this confirmation has now been made by the superintendent is very welcome.”
Cllr. McClafferty, who is the Cathaoirleach of the Glenties Municipal District, said the county’s drugs problem is very real, and it’s not just confined to the larger towns.
“It’s everywhere and it has become a part of life,” he said.
“The superintendent himself said that as long as there is a demand for drugs, there will be a drugs trade. That’s just the reality of the situation.
“But at least this will help give the people in our communities, the mums and dads out there, the reassurance that something is being done.
“Obviously it’s not going to solve the problem, but it’s a step in the right direction.
“It shouldn’t stop there. What we need after this is a second dog for our drugs unit, and then a third.”
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)