Criminologist and community activist Trina O’Connor has said footage captured by RTÉ’s Prime Time is deeply troubling, particularly because of how young some of those involved appear to be. She warned that organised criminal networks are actively grooming children and teenagers into serious drug-related activity.
Over several weeks, undercover filming by Prime Time recorded minors openly selling drugs in multiple areas of Dublin, including near O’Connell Bridge. On weekday afternoons, groups of teenagers were seen travelling around the city on e-scooters before gathering in inner-city locations, where they dealt drugs in plain view. The programme also documented the use of “spotters” who alerted dealers when Garda patrols approached.
Interviews with former participants revealed how criminal gangs recruit children to act as couriers, moving drugs and cash around the city. One former participant, identified as Jonathan, explained that a child carrying a schoolbag in the morning may not be heading to school but instead transporting illegal substances.
Jonathan said children as young as seven or eight can become involved, often carrying drugs, weighing scales, and other equipment in their bags. Community representatives have echoed these concerns. Fine Gael TD Paula Butterly said schools in the Drogheda area have reported similar issues, with some children being used as couriers and others becoming involved in street-level dealing from a very young age.
She described the situation as extremely alarming, noting that criminal gangs deliberately target vulnerable children and families facing significant hardship.
Jonathan said he grew up surrounded by drug use and addiction, and although he avoided taking drugs himself, the promise of quick money drew him in. He recalled how earning even a few hundred euro seemed life-changing at the time, allowing him to buy items he otherwise could not afford.
Addiction counsellor Michael Guerin said many young people involved in drug dealing come from disadvantaged areas where such activity has become normalised. For some, it is seen as an accessible way to earn money and even a rite of passage.
According to Jonathan, recruitment often begins with small, seemingly harmless tasks, such as delivering a package for €100 to €150. As trust develops, children are gradually given more responsibility and become further embedded in the criminal network.
He described how drugs are often prepared in ordinary properties, including houses, apartments, Airbnb rentals, and hotel rooms in more affluent areas, which attract less suspicion. Once ready, minors are sent out to sell directly to users.
Guerin noted that cocaine typically sells for between €50 and €100 per gram, while crack cocaine and counterfeit prescription drugs are also widely distributed. He added that e-scooters have significantly changed the trade, allowing dealers to move quickly and evade Garda patrols.
Dealers often operate in small groups, with only one person carrying drugs at any given time. If approached by Gardaí, the group can disperse quickly, reducing the risk of arrest.
Gardaí said a high-visibility policing strategy introduced in Dublin city centre in March 2025 has led to increased enforcement. By March 2026, there had been nearly 6,500 arrests under the operation, averaging 18 per day, along with approximately 13,500 charges or summonses. Drug-related detections have also risen, including increases in possession and obstruction offences.
After reviewing the footage, O’Connor described what she saw as open-air drug markets, with clear roles assigned within groups, including lookouts, handlers, and sellers. She said it was particularly disturbing to see individuals who appeared extremely young operating so openly without fear.
Butterly said responsibility lies entirely with the criminal gangs who exploit children and expose them to dangerous lifestyles. Guerin added that these young people are often viewed as disposable within criminal hierarchies and can be quickly replaced if caught.
Reflecting on his past, Jonathan said some young people become involved to support themselves or their families, but he accepts that individuals ultimately make their own choices. He said the death of a close friend and meeting his girlfriend prompted him to leave the lifestyle behind.
Now in his late teens, he said he feels fortunate to have escaped and believes he has been given a second chance.
There have been renewed calls for stronger action against organised crime, alongside continued investment in community supports and intervention programmes. O’Connor stressed that involvement in crime is not inevitable and that improved mental health services, addiction support, and community policing can help break the cycle.