Decriminalization Debate in Ireland | Cork News

Cork News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 3, 2026 · 1m

Ireland’s drug policy debate heats up as the Justice Minister clashes with the Oireachtas Drugs Committee over decriminalization. The committee, influenced by the Citizens’ Assembly, wants to scrap criminal penalties for possession entirely — a bold step beyond the Assembly’s recommendation to legalize but not enforce. Minister Jim O’Callaghan warns decriminalization could lead to more public drug use, citing failures in Oregon and British Columbia where lack of support services led to worsening outcomes. Committee chair Gary Gannon counters that Ireland’s high drug-related deaths demand…