A Glen resident who lives close to Glen River Park has spoken about their shock regarding needles and drug paraphernalia left lying around at the entrance of the park where children and families often go for a walk.

The remains of a kit pack that include needles, a filter syringe, ‘cooking-up’ spoons, swabs, and citric acid to prepare heroin were discarded openly at the park in recent days.

The resident said she had never seen it as blatant and as obvious with the items left on a big rock and on the ground by of one of the entrances of the park.

“Kids are inquisitive and curious, they see something like that in the park and they will pick it up immediately," they said.

The resident also made the point that kids often run ahead of their parents, so the danger would not be seen by the adults until after potential harm could come to their child.

“It is very worrying,” the resident said.

Local Fine Gael councillor Joe Kavanagh also said the situation was very worrying and said he was very concerned about the problem.

“The area needs to be noted as a hot spot and monitored closely by Gardaí. There is a need for intensive policing.

While recently opposing the use of needle bins in residential areas of Cork, Cllr Kavanagh said he would support their introduction in the park.

“This is an isolated area, that is used for drinking alcohol and taking drugs and I think a needle bin is needed to deal with the issue.”