Alarm raised in Cork over drink-spiking and the lack of a clear protocol for dealing with cases

By Peter McCarthy, Corkman

A Cork councillor has called for a clear national protocol to be put in place for when a patient presents at A&E and reports suspected drink spiking, saying there is a systemic failure to collect potential evidence in such cases.

Cllr Audrey Buckley brought a motion before this week’s meeting of Cork County Council calling for a letter to be written to the health minister and the justice minister asking what protocols are currently in place and querying why hospitals don’t carry out toxicology testing in such cases, even when requested to by patients and families.

“There have been incidents where people who were likely spiked ended up in A&E but faced long waits, were denied toxicology reports and testing, and couldn't give statements to Gardaí. In some cases, no evidence was collected at all, meaning potential crimes weren't properly investigated,” the Carrigaline councillor said.

“Spiking is something no parent or family member should ever have to face. To get a phone call that a loved one has been taken away by ambulance, only to arrive at A&E and find it treated as if they were simply intoxicated, is incredibly worrying, and can be life-changing for that person who was spiked or injected.”

“I’ve spoken to families locally who’ve experienced this, and what really concerns me is how common it seems to be. This is not normal so why do some medical staff and Gardaí treat it so? Yet there are no official statistics, no clear hospital or Garda protocol, and no toxicology tests being carried out. Without those steps, victims are left without evidence, and incidents are effectively ignored,” Cllr Buckley said.

She is calling on the government to establish a clear national pathway across hospitals and Garda stations to ensure suspected spiking incidents are treated as crimes, investigated promptly, and supported by appropriate clinical and policing protocols.

“It cannot be acceptable that young people present in this condition only to be told ‘We don’t do that’ when evidence collection is requested,” Cllr Buckley said.

Cllr Gearoid Murphy seconded the motion. “I think it's very important that toxicology reports would be prepared by hospitals in these cases. What we're talking about is the gathering and preserving of evidence in potential criminal cases.”

“In cases where a suspect is identified, I think we should make very sure that there is no gap in evidence in terms of toxicology and that proper interagency procedures are put in place between hospitals and local Gardaí to maximise the chances of these criminals being caught.”

Cllr Ann Banbury also supported the motion. “As a parent to young teenagers, I was shocked that at present there is no clear national protocol to guarantee that toxicology testing is carried out, that evidence is preserved in a timely manner or that the Gardaí are equipped to take statements where a victim may be incapacitated,” she said.

“Families should be able to trust that hospitals and Garda stations will respond in a joined-up, victim-centred way, treating suspected spiking as a potential crime from the outset. It's vital that the proper protocol is in place.”

The council agreed to write a letter to the two relevant ministers. A bill focussed on the specific offence of drink spiking is currently before the Dáil.