Kenneth FoxThere were 5,440 people convicted in the District Court system in 2025 on drug offencesThe total convictions for drug offences in our District Court system rose from 5,202 in 2024 to 5,440 in 2025 — a 5 per cent increase nationwide. Whilst district court drug convictions in many Irish towns have remained relatively stable or declined, some towns and counties in Ireland have recorded significant rises in the number of people convicted in the district court system on drug offences. Dublin topped the table of drug offence convictions, with 2,071 people convicted of drug offences in the capital in 2025 - up 11 per cent on 2024. Clonmel district court office recorded the next highest number of people convicted for drug offences in 2025 at 281, a 27 per cent increase on 2024. While most counties or District Court offices recorded falls in the number of persons convicted on drugs offences between 2024 and 2025, some District Court areas recorded massive jumps.

Source: The Herald March 23, 2026 11:13 UTC