All About Cork has spoken to a mother of her horror after her five-year-old son discovered what a used needle and a bag containing suspected drugs while playing near their home at the Lough.
The incident happened on Friday night when young Ben Miller was playing in the area.
According to his mother, Ben came across a discarded needle, along with a bag containing what she believes were drugs, possibly heroin, as well as other needles and prescription medication.
Ben, who was naturally curious, picked up the needle before later returning home and telling his mother what had happened.
She was horrified and immediately brought her son to Cork University Hospital for medical assessment.
She also brought the discarded needle with her in a shoe box to the CUH.
Jade Millar says she was told by medical staff that the needle contained blood and heroin.
Thankfully, she says Ben was not pricked by the needle.
Ms Millar said that she has been left deeply distressed by what happened and fears what could have happened if the needle had pierced her young son’s skin.
She is now calling on Gardaí to increase patrols in the area and take action to prevent discarded needles and suspected drugs from being left where children can find them.
The mother says it is completely unacceptable that drug users are leaving potentially lethal and dangerous needles behind in a public area where innocent children may pick them up.
She fears that unless action is taken, it may only be a matter of time before another child is seriously injured.
Her message is clear: Gardaí need to patrol the area and nip this in the bud before an innocent child is pricked by a dirty needle.
For this family, what began as an ordinary Friday night ended with a terrified journey to hospital and a stark reminder of the dangers that discarded drug paraphernalia can pose to children.
The mother now wants action taken before another child becomes the victim of a discarded needle.
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