Drug convictions in Cork down compared to national average

Convictions for drug-related offences in Cork city dropped by 7% between 2024 and 2025. By contrast, the national average was a 5% increase.

In 2024, 543 people were convicted by Cork District Court for drug offences, compared to 504 people in 2025.

The figures were released to Fianna Fáil MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú under a Freedom of Information request.

Convictions for drug offences in the city have been decreasing since a six-year high point in 2022, where 775 people were convicted.

Outside of the city, Clonakilty saw a decrease of 50% between 2024 and 2025, from 143 down to 72 convictions.

By contrast, Mallow has followed national trends. In 2024, 143 convictions were recorded, while in 2025 there were 182, a 27% increase.

The number of convictions has been decreasing for a number of reasons.

In some instances, cases were sent forward to the circuit court for trial, rather than being settled at district level.

In other cases, a judge-led diversion programme in Cork city, started by retired judge Ollan Kelleher, saw the Probation of Offenders Act, 1907 used to avoid convictions for first time offenders.

Judges have discretion to place offenders on probation rather than giving criminal convictions. In Cork, first-time offenders can be directed towards drug counselling rather than being given convictions.

The most common drug-related convictions since 2020 have been for possession of drugs contrary to section 3 of the Misuse of Drug Act 1977.

However, this has been decreasing year-on-year since 2022 by around 14%.

Unlawful possession of drugs has also significantly decreased, going from 434 convictions in 2019 to just zero in 2025.

This is due to the title of the offence being changed in the last number of years. Offenders are now charged with the former charge instead of the latter.

Convictions for the possession of drugs for sale or supply, and the cultivation of cannabis plants or opium poppy have also been decreasing year-on-year.