"June is deeply associated with Áine, the Irish goddess of summer, fertility, love, and sovereignty, whose presence is especially felt around the midsummer season."
Councillors still looking to dename Herzog Park – and to rename Diamond Park after Terence Wheelock – say they’ve seen no progress from central government on regulations to make it an option.
“We're actually at a pivotal moment in Ireland with regard to our drug policy,” said one speaker, at the inaugural event of the Irish Coalition for Drug Reform.
And when it does happen, will it be matched with investment in detox beds? And should it now cater, also, to the growing number of crack cocaine users?
The death of community activist John “Whacker” Humphrey a few weeks ago, reminded the country of the anti-drugs campaign in which he played such a central role.
A 2012 review of drugs and alcohol task forces said they needed better oversight and governance structures. But, six years later, concerns about task forces are still popping up.
Businesses say they want more, tougher policing to deal with what they say has been a rise in crime. But others say a more health-focused response is what’s needed.
Councillors say they don’t want to take up seats on a drugs task force in the inner city until the co-ordinator comes to talk to them. The co-ordinator says he’s only been asked once.
