Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2026
212. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on the commitment in the Programme for Government to introduce stronger laws to combat the spiking of drinks. [6089/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSpiking is a crime that preys on vulnerability, that undermines consent and that can have devastating consequences for victims. As Minister I am committed to fostering a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence (DSGBV). Spiking a person’s drink or spiking someone by injection are, in effect, poisoning, and are criminal offences under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997, that can result in a three-year prison term.
Depending on the nature of the substance that is administered, it may be possible to charge a perpetrator with endangerment under section 13 of the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act 1997. This provides that it is an offence to intentionally or recklessly engage in conduct which creates a substantial risk of death or serious harm to another. The offence of endangerment carries a maximum penalty of 7 years imprisonment. An Garda Síochána takes all reports of spiking seriously and thoroughly investigates to determine the exact nature of each incident including results of toxicology reports in each case. I would advise any victims of similar incidents or any form of spiking to come forward and report to local Gardaí.
All civil and criminal legislation is kept under review.
Last September, my colleague, Minister O’Donovan launched new safety training for the country’s Night-Time Economy workers. The ‘Safe & Sound’ campaign aims to make Ireland’s nightlife safer for customers and staff, and includes new policy templates for a wide range of businesses in the Night-Time Economy such as pubs, restaurants, hotels, nightclubs, theatres, cultural venues, festivals, gyms, taxi services, and more. This training, which is available free for 12 months in the nine Night-Time Economy Pilot areas (Dublin City, Cork City, Limerick City, Galway City, Kilkenny City, Drogheda, Sligo, Buncrana, and Longford Town), looks into the various aspects of vulnerability after dark. It is specifically tailored and developed for those working at night, providing workers with an increased awareness of their responsibilities and duty of care, and training in actions that must be taken to reduce identified risks.
Among the training modules on offer is ‘Drink Spiking Awareness – prevention and response strategies’.
My Department has previously run an awareness campaign on spiking, in conjunction with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
