New figures released by An Garda Siochana have shown a drastic spike in the number of spiking incidents last year.
The figures, brought to the Dail this week by Sinn Fein TD for Dublin Mid West Mark Ward, showed that in 2021 the number of reported spiking incidents increased from 62 to 106.
Speaking to Classic Hits, the TD said: "This 106 in 2022 are only the ones reporting it to the Gardai. How many incidents happen when the gardai aren't informed? It is quite concerning.
READ MORE - Young woman comes forward saying she is Madeleine McCann and shares 'evidence' on Instagram
"25 of these were also needle spikes. I'm a father of a teenage daughter, I would have these personal concerns as well."
He added that an awareness campaign currently being rolled out by the Department of Justice needs to be enhanced, with training needing to be provided to staff to help spot incidents.
One father in Dublin told Newstalk's Lunchtime Live that he reached out to Ward, who is his local TD after his daughter had been spiked while enjoying a night out with friends.
Robbie opened up about the horrifying incident in which his daughter was spiked on the radio show where he urged people to be vigilant.
He said: "My daughter was just all over the place. It was frightening... she didn't know what was happening to her. It was a horrible and frightening thing."
"She said to me the next day, 'dad, I really didn't have that much to drink' and she said she was all over the shop.
"She lost her friends, she didn't know where they went. Lucky enough, this young girl was living in the same area and found her and asked if she was alright.
“She put her in the taxi and brought her home to us. Fair play to her. Thank you to that girl.
"What I would say to people out there, the important thing to remember is that it can happen to you. Don't think it won't ever happen to you."
READ NEXT :
The two counties with the highest car insurance - and neither of them are Dublin
Good news for Penneys fans with new Irish store to open this year
Kinahan mobster stripped of €1.5m gets boost as 'fake passport' probe dropped
Fears the price of a breakfast roll is about to rocket amid row over VAT
Potential Beast from the East timeline as experts say weather event is happening
Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter
