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\u201cRampant\u201d cocaine use is fueling domestic violence and dominating family court cases in Ireland, it has been claimed.<\/p>\n\u201cRampant\u201d cocaine use is fueling domestic violence and dominating family court cases in Ireland, it has been claimed.<\/p>\n
Recreational use of cocaine has become so widespread it is impacting the lives of people from every economic background, and a rising number of addicts are choosing the drug over their children, according to a family law solicitor.<\/p>\n
Sandra McAleer, based in Dublin, said it is involved in almost every other court case she deals with.<\/p>\n
\u201cCocaine is rampant, it\u2019s either the cause or it\u2019s the financial burden because of people taking cocaine,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople taking cocaine get cocky, and when they get cocky they get paranoid and that\u2019s when the arguments start.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople can\u2019t go out for a few drinks any more, they have to go to the toilet.<\/p>\n
“Domestic violence is being fueled by cocaine. Everybody is going at it<\/p>\n
\u201cNormal working mums are losing their kids over cocaine.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said that while cocaine was previously seen as a \u201crich man\u2019s drug\u201d, it is now being used by people on low incomes, parents with nine to five jobs and wealthy businessmen and women.<\/p>\n
She added that cocaine is given out \u201con tap\u201d, leaving people facing mounting debts as they spend hundreds of euros each weekend on the drug.<\/p>\n
Ms McAleer said it has become socially acceptable to openly do a line of cocaine during nights out.<\/p>\n
“I can’t comprehend how men and many women are choosing the white stuff over their children<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of money in it and the only people that are fuelling it are the Joe Soaps.<\/p>\n
\u201cA dealer told me that he can get up to \u20ac1,000 for a good bag of cocaine.\u201d<\/p>\n
One victim of domestic violence wants abusers to be made to sign a national register to help prevent other women from experiencing similar abuse.<\/p>\n
Dublin mother Priscilla Grainger was emotionally and physically abused throughout her marriage and was afraid to seek help.<\/p>\n
After she eventually ended the marriage she found little help for victims.<\/p>\n
In 2014, she and her daughter set up the organisation Stop Domestic Violence in Ireland, which provides help for people trying to get out of violent and abusive relationships.<\/p>\n
\u201cMyself and my daughter were physically and emotionally abused and it became extremely dangerous,\u201d Ms Grainger said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI realized we need to help other people, and the only way to stop domestic violence is by helping other people and exposing it, as domestic violence is not a crime.\u201d<\/p>\n