A man was thought to be dead while another was arrested for public order offences on a 'nightmare' alleyway in the centre of Dublin last night, Dublin Live has reported.
North Lotts, which is just off Liffey Street Lower, has become a hotspot for anti-social behaviour over the past eight weeks, amid fears forced prostitution is taking place. A local Councillor previously saw a woman shooting heroin into her arm while a child in a pram was just a few feet away.
In the latest incident, a man was believed to be dead by a shocked passer-by. However, a source confirmed that the man, who was treated by emergency services at the laneway, was alive, and was subsequently taken to hospital.
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Another man, in his 20s, was arrested at the scene for public order offences and was later charged. Gardai confirmed they are investigating the incident.
A spokeswoman said: "Gardaí are investigating a public order incident that occurred on North Lotts, Dublin 1 yesterday evening, Wednesday June 22, 2022 at approximately 10.20pm. One male was found to be unresponsive and was treated by Emergency Services."
She added: "A male (20s) was arrested for public order offences and taken to Store Street Garda Station where he was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. He was later charged and is due to appear before CCJ at a later date."
A witness to the scene told Dublin Live she "was walking down the lane at the back of Supermacs on O'Connell Street in Dublin 1 last night, and there was a body on the ground and about six or eight guards there. An ambulance came and took him away, and it was sealed off with the yellow tape."
Dublin Live previously reported that crack cocaine and heroin use and dealing are so common on North Lotts that a local Councillor compared it to an open market for drugs. Residents living on the lane are living in fear of those occupying the laneway who regularly "intimidate" them.
A garda operation has seen some success in tackling the issues recently but Councillor Christy Burke told Dublin Live "it is kicking off again".
Councillor Burke said: "It is a nightmare. My heart goes out to the residents out there, apart from the noise and the mayhem and intimidation, even to look out at such mayhem and anti-social [behaviour] is enough to put you off."
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