Ring reprimanded over ‘gangsters’ comment on head shops

Deputy Ring reprimanded over ‘gangsters’ comment about head shops


Edwin McGreal

Mayo Fine Gael TD Michael Ring received several ‘unpleasant’ emails after he made comments in DΡil Eireann on April 1 where he referred to operators of so-called ‘head shops’ as ‘gangsters in drug shops’.
The Westport based deputy confirmed to The Mayo News that he received a raft of contact from people involved in head shops since his comments, which were made under DΡil privilege.
“I did receive some unpleasant emails,” he admitted yesterday. “They weren’t quite sinister, more unpleasant. The people that emailed think they are doing no wrong. But we have to deal with this. People are dying and people will die if this problem isn’t stopped.”
A number of products currently sold in ‘head shops’ are set to be banned but must wait for three months for full EU ratification of the ban. Three ‘head shops’ currently operate in Mayo, two in Castlebar and one in Ballina.
“It is the fastest growing industry in Ireland in the worst recession since the foundation of the state. We need to oppose this every step of the way, through the planning laws and medicine laws and we need to regulate these head shops out of business,” continued Ring.
Ring did, however, agree that there was little the Government could do but to wait until the EU ratified the banned substances. However he did argue that there is a problem in that as soon as one product might be banned, another might take its place.
Speaking after a report last Friday revealed that 24 new drugs were developed, Ring said the people in the ‘head shop’ industry were ‘masters’ at getting around the law.
“This is an industry whose purveyors have become masters at getting around the law so that they can peddle their drugs. They’re so brazen in the pursuit of business they’re even delivering ‘takeaway’ menus to people’s doors.
“They reality is they’re in the drug trade but they’ve found a way around the law. A product ban alone will not do. I believe the Government would attract cross-party support for new legislation or regulations and changes to the planning and licensing laws to tackle these shops. It has to happen fast.”
Meanwhile Ring’s party leader, Castlebar TD Enda Kenny revealed this week a list of some of the substances that are to be banned from head shops, once they go through the EU process.