Calls for increased awareness after three men have drinks spiked

CLLR Mark Duffy has called for action to be taken to address an ongoing spate of drink spiking in the Ballina area.

Cllr Duffy told a meeting of the Mayo Joint Policing Committee that three young men had been spiked in a bar recently, leaving one in ICU and the other losing the power in his legs.

Spiking is when alcohol or drugs is added to someone’s drink without their knowledge.

Cllr Duffy said that one lady who had contacted him had a friend with a heart condition who feared it would be fatal if she was spiked.

The Ballina-based councillor said some sort of awareness campaign could be put in place to prevent such incidents from occurring.

Chief Superintendent Ray McMahon said ‘very few’ incidents had been reported to the gardaí but appealed to the public to make gardaí aware if they think it has occurred.

“If that happens we need to get in and take a look at CCTV at the earliest opportunity and carry out whatever inquiries we can,” he said.