Sinn Féin TD for Louth Imelda Munster has welcomed the seizure of drugs, believed to be cocaine worth an estimated value of €1.4million, in Drogheda, Co. Louth, on Monday.

The seizure occurred when Gardaí stopped a vehicle at the Donore Road Industrial Estate, and a man has been arrested.

Deputy Munster said:

“The Gardaí have been working hard to control the influx of drugs into the area, and the related gang violence. This week’s seizure shows the importance of ensuring that the Gardaí have the resources to keep up this work to root this feud and the scourge of drugs out of Drogheda.

“I met with senior Gardaí in Drogheda on Monday, and they are making inroads. However, without the continuation of the funding they have received in recent times, all this work will have been for nothing.

“Fine Gael and their government partners have a responsibility to make sure the Gardaí can do their jobs. It’s not good enough that the Gardaí’s funding should run out, as it did last week, leaving them unsure as to whether they will be able to continue fighting the drug gangs.

“Fine Gael call themselves the party of law and order, but the violence, fear and crime in Drogheda, east Meath and other areas along the border tells a different story.

“There’s still a mountain to climb. The feud is still live. As we saw last week with the murder in Bettystown, it could escalate at any moment.

“The continuation of funding is vital in the fight against these thugs. I have raised this with the Taoiseach, the Minister for Justice and the Gardaí, to impress upon them the importance of ensuring that the Gardaí have the resources they need to stamp out this feud and ensure that the people of Louth and Meath can feel safe in their communities.”