An Irish TikTok star has warned of “needle spiking” ahead of nightclubs reopening this Friday.
Nia Gallagher, who is originally from Longford, took to her 295,700 followers on the popular social media app to alert people of the potential dangers of attending a nightclub as plans press ahead to see a major reopening of the sector.
In a candid video Nia said that people were being 'naïve' if they didn't think spiking incidents could happen in Ireland, Dublin Live reports.
The 21-year-old said: “I don’t know how to go about this, but I’m just going to let it all out and say how I feel.
“I know we’re all excited for the 22nd, I’m so excited to go out, party and get back to nightlife again. However, what I'm seeing on social media is really making me take a step back.
“I’m seeing so many stories and awful images of people being spiked.
"Being spiked is not new, I've been spiked in the past, it was an awful experience, traumatic but I've recovered, some people haven’t, it’s really sad. But that’s because I let my guard down and didn’t cover my drink.
“Now, I'm seeing that people are getting spiked in their arms with needles, they’re taking it to the next level. Like how can I prevent that happening to me and my friends?
“We used to put our hands over our drinks, we all know this trick. But how can we prevent it going into my arms, my legs, the side of my neck? What can I wear? What should I do? I’m so scared.
"You’re being naïve if you don’t think this will happen in Ireland. Sh*t happens here too. There are crazy people everywhere that will think of that idea and bring it here.
"I’m just sending out a warning for everyone to watch their backs, stay with your group and surround yourself with good people. I love you all, have a great weekend but just a little PSA for you to remember."
The video was uploaded last night and has nearly 9,000 likes and 47,000 views already.
TikTok users were grateful for the frightening warning. One said: “Fair play to you for making this video, I wasn't aware of the needles thing, that’s actually terrifying.”
Another commented: “I totally get you. I don’t go out much but this makes my anxiety so much worse. The world is getting more and more dangerous.”
And a third posted: “It’s literally so terrifying. We need to push for bag checks for nightclubs. I genuinely don’t think I’m going to go out for a while.”
This comes after police in the UK are probing a number of alleged incidents in nightclubs and bars amid a growing number of claims of spiking over social media.
Women are said to have been targeted in a string of incidents - with pub bosses and police responding to claims made at nightclubs in recent days.
Some have claimed to have been spiked “by injection”, with a number of women noticing red marks on their back following their nights out.
Victims across the nation have reported a small red bump that made them feel suddenly drunk, drowsy or nauseous.
