19 August 2026
By Tom Collins
Tom @TheCork.ie
Senator Laura Harmon has called for the urgent introduction of a standalone criminal offence for spiking, warning that official figures are unlikely to reflect the true scale of the problem.
Cork Labour Senator Laura Harmon said:
“A new standalone law to specifically criminalise spiking is urgently needed. This issue has been allowed to continue for too long.
“Gardaí recorded 58 suspected spiking incidents nationally last year, but we know that many incidents are likely to go unreported. In 2025, 209 of the 1,021 people who attended Ireland’s six Sexual Assault Treatment Units expressed concern that they may have been spiked. That should give us real cause for concern about the scale of this problem.
“Spiking can put a person in an incredibly vulnerable and dangerous situation. It can affect anyone of any age, and with the college term approaching we need to take real steps towards stamping it out. Government must act.
“Spiking is already criminal under existing Irish law, but there is no specific standalone offence of spiking. That needs to change. Naming this crime for what it is would send a clear message to perpetrators and, crucially, to victims that what has happened to them is a serious criminal offence.
“We must have a zero-tolerance approach to spiking as a society. I am echoing the calls of Sexual Violence Centre Cork for this problem to be treated with the gravity it warrants and for spiking to be made a specific criminal offence.
“This is not limited to someone putting a substance into a drink. We are now hearing warnings about spiking through drinks, injections and even vapes. Our laws and public awareness campaigns need to reflect the reality of how this crime can happen.
“Creating a specific offence would also help us to identify the true scale of the problem. At present, spiking is dealt with through existing criminal offences, making it more difficult to get a clear picture of its prevalence.
“The Programme for Government commits to introducing stronger laws to combat the spiking of drinks. Government now needs to deliver on that commitment.
“I have previously campaigned to have ‘sex for rent’ made a specific criminal offence. The principle is important. Where a particular form of predatory or exploitative behaviour is taking place, our laws should name it clearly and give victims confidence that what happened to them is recognised.
“We have also seen stalking established as a standalone criminal offence. There is value in naming crimes clearly in legislation so that victims, Gardaí and the wider public understand exactly what behaviour is criminal.
“A specific spiking offence, backed up by strong awareness campaigns and clear reporting pathways, would give us additional legislative tools to tackle spiking, improve our understanding of its prevalence and encourage victims to come forward.
“People should be able to go to a pub, club, festival or college event without fearing that somebody will secretly administer a substance to them. We need to name this crime, raise awareness of it and make absolutely clear that there is zero tolerance for spiking in Ireland.”
File photo showing generic pint of Guinness, which is a popular drink available in most pubs across Ireland