Post by Harry on Aug 15, 2007 8:17:49 GMT
'At 6am on a Sunday it's easier to buy heroin than a loaf of bread'
Seamus MacRory at the grave of his son Michael
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View GalleryBy Staff reporter
THE PSNI should employ "the dogs" on the streets of Ballymena, if that's what it takes, to rid the town of drug dealers, Seamus MacRory has said.
The grieving father of 20-year-old heroin victim, Michael MacRory, was responding in "disbelief" at the comments made by Area Commander Chief Inspector Wendy Middleton, last week, following the death of his son and another unrelated, suspected drug-related death in Ballymena within days of each other.
Speaking exclusively to The Times at his home, which is just a stone's throw from the cemetery where Michael is now buried, Mr MacRory said he found it hard to comprehend how the hands of police seemed to be tied when it comes to drug dealing in the borough.
"I just couldn't believe the Chief Inspector's press statement - 'I have often heard that the dogs in the street know who these dealers are'," said Mr MacRory.
"If that's the case then it's high time the police employed 'the dogs in the street' to help them get these drug dealers.
"I just can't believe that the PSNI and all the resources they have can't put these boys behind bars.
"If they start with the small fry they will eventually get the big boys for, as far as I'm concerned, if you cut the head of the snake it won't bite you," said Mr MacRory.
He said the Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) had an obvious role to play in the 'street cleaning' process.
"These drugs boys are driving along the streets in big fancy cars with tans from the four or five holidays they have a year and wads of notes in their pockets yet they haven't worked a day in their lives and they have no known means of income," said Mr MacRory.
"It's not hard to figure out where the money is coming from - I know it and everybody else in the town knows it - surely the police knows it too.
"What's to stop the Assets Recovery Agency going and checking their bank accounts?" he said.
"You don't think about these things until they come to your own door - I never thought they would come to mine, but they did.
"Drugs can destroy anyone's life.
It was my son this time but it could be a doctor's son next time or the son of a man that brushes the street," said Mr MacRory.
"I know nothing about drugs - but now I'm learning and from what I hear these suppliers are giving away the first taste free, just to get people hooked.
"Basically, if they think you're vulnerable they'll target you just like Michael who was particularly vulnerable with his ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)," said Mr MacRory.
"I never suspected for once in my life that my son was on heroin - it wasn't until I buried him that I found out how easy it actually is to get hold of.
"At 6am on a Sunday morning it's hard to get a loaf of bread in Ballymena but you can go up the street and get heroin no bother," said Mr MacRory.
"If I found this out in the past few days how come the PSNI don't know the situation? And how come the Assets Recovery people can't do something?
"I've worked all my life and I'm living in rented accommodation and driving a 10-year-old car yet these drug dealers are sailing about in flashing cars and living in big houses."Even if the money isn't going through their bank accounts and they're laundering it there must be some way of finding out where it is coming from in the first place," said Mr MacRory.
"I don't care what people think about what I am saying - I've lost my son to drugs - I've little else to lose.
"I'm just saying what a lot of others are thinking and if what I say can make a difference, maybe educating other parents or alert them to the dangers, then it will be worthwhile," said Mr MacRory who is now seeking a face-to-face meeting with Chief Inspector Middleton to air his concerns in person and "get some answers" from her.
While he awaits support from the police for his appeal for increased action against drug dealers, Mr MacRory said he continues to be overwhelmed by support closer to home in the wake of Michael's death.
"My partner, Yvonne, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles and the rest of the family have been wonderful and the turnout at Michael's funeral was just unbelievable," he said. "I didn't expect it because his death was drug-related and, whatever the circumstances, there’s always a king of stigma attached.
“Since I first spoke out, people have been coming up to me in the street - people I don’t even know - and shaking my hand.
"But my neighbours here in Herbison Park have been particularly fantastic in their support.
“I don't know what I would have done without them - they're the best neighbours in the world," he said.
Seamus MacRory at the grave of his son Michael
« Previous « PreviousNext » Next »
View GalleryBy Staff reporter
THE PSNI should employ "the dogs" on the streets of Ballymena, if that's what it takes, to rid the town of drug dealers, Seamus MacRory has said.
The grieving father of 20-year-old heroin victim, Michael MacRory, was responding in "disbelief" at the comments made by Area Commander Chief Inspector Wendy Middleton, last week, following the death of his son and another unrelated, suspected drug-related death in Ballymena within days of each other.
Speaking exclusively to The Times at his home, which is just a stone's throw from the cemetery where Michael is now buried, Mr MacRory said he found it hard to comprehend how the hands of police seemed to be tied when it comes to drug dealing in the borough.
"I just couldn't believe the Chief Inspector's press statement - 'I have often heard that the dogs in the street know who these dealers are'," said Mr MacRory.
"If that's the case then it's high time the police employed 'the dogs in the street' to help them get these drug dealers.
"I just can't believe that the PSNI and all the resources they have can't put these boys behind bars.
"If they start with the small fry they will eventually get the big boys for, as far as I'm concerned, if you cut the head of the snake it won't bite you," said Mr MacRory.
He said the Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) had an obvious role to play in the 'street cleaning' process.
"These drugs boys are driving along the streets in big fancy cars with tans from the four or five holidays they have a year and wads of notes in their pockets yet they haven't worked a day in their lives and they have no known means of income," said Mr MacRory.
"It's not hard to figure out where the money is coming from - I know it and everybody else in the town knows it - surely the police knows it too.
"What's to stop the Assets Recovery Agency going and checking their bank accounts?" he said.
"You don't think about these things until they come to your own door - I never thought they would come to mine, but they did.
"Drugs can destroy anyone's life.
It was my son this time but it could be a doctor's son next time or the son of a man that brushes the street," said Mr MacRory.
"I know nothing about drugs - but now I'm learning and from what I hear these suppliers are giving away the first taste free, just to get people hooked.
"Basically, if they think you're vulnerable they'll target you just like Michael who was particularly vulnerable with his ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)," said Mr MacRory.
"I never suspected for once in my life that my son was on heroin - it wasn't until I buried him that I found out how easy it actually is to get hold of.
"At 6am on a Sunday morning it's hard to get a loaf of bread in Ballymena but you can go up the street and get heroin no bother," said Mr MacRory.
"If I found this out in the past few days how come the PSNI don't know the situation? And how come the Assets Recovery people can't do something?
"I've worked all my life and I'm living in rented accommodation and driving a 10-year-old car yet these drug dealers are sailing about in flashing cars and living in big houses."Even if the money isn't going through their bank accounts and they're laundering it there must be some way of finding out where it is coming from in the first place," said Mr MacRory.
"I don't care what people think about what I am saying - I've lost my son to drugs - I've little else to lose.
"I'm just saying what a lot of others are thinking and if what I say can make a difference, maybe educating other parents or alert them to the dangers, then it will be worthwhile," said Mr MacRory who is now seeking a face-to-face meeting with Chief Inspector Middleton to air his concerns in person and "get some answers" from her.
While he awaits support from the police for his appeal for increased action against drug dealers, Mr MacRory said he continues to be overwhelmed by support closer to home in the wake of Michael's death.
"My partner, Yvonne, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles and the rest of the family have been wonderful and the turnout at Michael's funeral was just unbelievable," he said. "I didn't expect it because his death was drug-related and, whatever the circumstances, there’s always a king of stigma attached.
“Since I first spoke out, people have been coming up to me in the street - people I don’t even know - and shaking my hand.
"But my neighbours here in Herbison Park have been particularly fantastic in their support.
“I don't know what I would have done without them - they're the best neighbours in the world," he said.