"The recent decision to axe the two positions in the Anti Drugs Unit (which was only in it's infancy) at a time when the heroin problem in the area is spreading like a cancer is nothing short of criminal.

"I estimate that there are now more than two dozen people addicted to this killer drug in the area and those dealing in death need to be apprehended before we see deaths of young people as we witnessed in Arklow.

"The governments response to the spiralling drugs crisis is nothing short of criminal.

"I am again calling on the Department of Justice who gave me an unsatisfactory response last time, to re-instate the two positions and to establish a properly resourced squad for the North Wexford area before it's too late."