That’s despite a slowdown in court activity this year due to the pandemic.
Over 3,100 people were convicted of drugs offences in the first ten months of this year.
More than 19 per cent were in Dublin, but many rural areas also had large numbers.
According to new figures from the Courts Service, 3,104 people were convicted of drugs offences in various courts across the country between January and October.
That’s despite a slowdown in court activity this year due to the pandemic.
530 people were found guilty of possession of drugs for sale and supply, while 2,574 were convicted of the lesser offence of unlawful possession of drugs.
604 were found guilty of either offence in courts in Dublin, making up a fifth of the total.
And there were 317 convictions in Cork city.
However, many more regional areas throughout the country also had quite large numbers, including Portlaoise, with 330, and Carlow, Ennis, Clonmel, Cavan, Mullingar and Trim.
Sheelagh Brady is a security analyst and former Garda sergeant:
Justice Minister Helen McEntee says the government’s committed to a health-led approach to the misuse of drugs.
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