Gardai have confirmed that they are investigating a number of alleged incidents involving needle spiking.
It comes after a woman was assaulted in Tralee, possibly following the administration of a drug through a needle prick last month.
Gardai have confirmed that a number of similar incidents are under investigation.
A spokesperson said: “With regard to incidents of 'needle spiking', An Garda Síochána has commenced investigations following a number of reports of alleged incidents.
“However, An Garda Síochána cannot confirm at this time that these reports specifically involve that the person was ‘spiked’ with a drug administered by a needle prick,” they said.
In relation to the attack in Tralee, the spokesperson said that they “can confirm the commencement of one investigation into an alleged assault, where a female became disorientated possibly caused by a drug administered by a needle prick.
A toxicology report is currently underway and until then, the Gardaí said that they were “not in a position to provide any further specific details without further detailed analysis and results of Toxicology reports.”
Meanwhile, they also confirmed that they have not received any reports of recent drink spiking incidents in the area.
So far this year, a “small number” of incidents “specifically of a "'date rape drug’ nature” have been recorded by An Garda Síochána.
“Separately, the presence of a ‘date rape drug’ could form part of the narrative of a substantive incident, such as Assault, and be an aggravating factor. This office is not in a position to provide any further specific details without further detailed analysis,” the spokesperson said.
Victims of alleged attacks are urged to report the incident to the Gardaí as soon as possible.
“All incidents of sexual crime including those with evidence to suggest a link with ‘spiking’ are fully and thoroughly investigated by local Gardaí attached to Divisional Proactive Services Units supported by the Garda National Protective Services Bureau. Details of how to report can be found on our website Garda.ie - https://www.garda.ie/en/crime/sexual-crime/ ,” Gardaí have said.
Members of the public can also find more information about drink spiking here.
