DUBLIN TRADERS SETTLE ACTION AGAINST DRUG CENTRE

Traders in Pearse Street, Dublin, who had claimed their businesses were
being affected by the presence of a drug treatment centre on the street,
have settled a legal action against the Drug Treatment Centre Board.

In the High Court yesterday, Mr John Hedigan SC, for the traders, told Mr
Justice Shanley the action against the board and the Minister for Health
had been settled "without admission of liability". The board had agreed to
pay the traders' legal costs.

It is understood the Drug Centre will undertake a number of measures to
reduce any loitering on the street by addicts receiving treatment at the
centre.

At an earlier hearing, traders claimed there had been plans to increase the
centre's activities and to open it on a 24-hour basis. The number of
addicts attending the centre last year was 1,790 and there were over 51,000
visits.

Last November, Mr Justice McCracken said addict numbers should not expand
beyond the July, 1997, numbers until after the hearing of the traders'
action.

The court had been told of complaints from traders of harassment, theft,
violence and about the use of syringes.