Opinion
09 Nov 22

Minister for Justice urged to make spiking a specific criminal offence

“This problem is growing nationwide," Labour's Aodhan Ó Ríordáin said yesterday.

Labour justice spokesperson Aodhan Ó Ríordáin has urged Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, to make spiking a specific criminal offence under the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022.

Seeking to make amendments to the Bill during Dáil committee stage yesterday (November 8), Ó Ríordáin stated that a specific offence of spiking is needed given the recently reported rise in cases.

The Labour TD said "heinous crime of spiking" is often committed on an innocent person "to make it easier to commit a crime or sexual violence like rape against them".

Spiking is classed as 'poisoning' under Ireland's current legislation, and "it’s clear that we need to update our laws and our sentencing to adequately deal with what is unfortunately a very prevalent crime".

Dublin Bay North TD Ó Ríordáin informed the Oireachtas that he raised the issue and proposed amendments with Minister for Justice Helen McEntee on Tuesday.

“The use of the term ‘poisoning’ does not fully capture the essence of spiking, which is the motive - to enable the commission of a crime or sexual offence. To counter this phenomenon, we must identify it as a specific offence in law," he said.

“Drink-spiking incidents reported to gardaí so far this year have almost doubled, as 40 people reported having their drink spiked compared to 22 reports made in all of 2021. As well as drink spiking, Gardaí are reporting incidents of victims being spiked with a needle."

“This problem is growing nationwide," he continued. "In 2021, the Kerry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre noted a marked increase in cases of drinks being spiked, as well as the use of needles to drug unsuspecting people while out socialising. This is a deeply concerning trend and one that needs to be stamped out.

“As well as introducing more robust sentencing laws to deal with a person found guilty of an offence of spiking, we need to see public awareness campaigns to remind pub and club patrons, venues and staff members of the signs that someone may be spiked to ensure that they can get help without delay.”

Named offence of ‘spiking’ needed to prevent heinous crimes - @AodhanORiordain

❝More robust sentencing laws are needed to deal with spiking, as well as awareness campaigns to remind patrons, venues and staff of the signs that someone may be spiked.https://t.co/96uUYB1oBy pic.twitter.com/C1Ac5GdBTO

— The Labour Party (@labour) November 8, 2022