TREE TO BE LIT IN MEMORY OF DEAD

A special Christmas tree is to be put up in Dublin’s north inner city
tomorrow illuminated by 118 stars - each representing a tragic death from
the scourge of drugs.

"Children and families with the north east inner city have been devastated
by the drugs crisis and the Christmas tree stars are in remembrance of
those who have died," said Helen Maher, co ordinator of the Inner City
Organisations’ Network ICON).

Heroin addiction has ravaged communities in the area - about a square mile
of the city centre enclosed by Capel Street, Dorset Street and the Liffey
and Tolka rivers.

The lights will be switched on by a boy and a girl from the community - one
born in the inner city and the other a black child from the area’s growing
immigrant community.

"We feel it was right to have an immigrant child taking part in the
lighting up ceremony as it will focus on integration in the area. This is
very much a community effort and there are many immigrants who are they are
facing their own problems.

"The tree will be a symbol of hope and will also allow people to
commemorate those who died.

"We are determined to ensure that all government policies show a real
commitment to tackling the deprivation that resulted in this huge tragedy,"
Ms Maher said.

ICON first began putting up the tree four years ago when there were 87 stars.

The tree will stand at the junction of Sean MacDermott Street and Killarney
Street - an intersection which was once became notorious for drug peddling.