The mother of a girl who stood on a used heroin needle in Tralee last weekend says the community is fearful of another incident.
Kelly O'Brien’s 11-year old daughter was walking on the footpath near her home at Ogham Rian when she thought a stone had lodged in her shoe.
She realised a used needle had gone into the sole of her trainer and come out the other side.
Kelly O'Brien says there is a serious drug problem in the area and she can no longer let her children play outside because of the prevalence of discarded needles:
In a statement, Gardaí said they are aware of anti-social behaviour at an estate in Tralee.
They say members of the Community Policing Unit will continue to liaise with local residents on a targeted response.
The unit is undertaking high visibility patrols and working with the Divisional Drugs Unit to reduce instances of anti-social behaviour and related crime in the area.
Another resident, who would prefer not to be identified, said the residents may need to organise neighbourhood patrols to deter the behaviour:
