City drugs counsellors say Dublin is in the grips of a crack cocaine crisis.

Figures from the Health Research Board show the number of people seeking treatment for the drug have jumped 594% - from 173 cases in 2017 to 1,201 last year.

Sinn Féin councillor Daithí Doolan from the South Inner City Drug and Alcohol Partnership, says it's affecting individuals and families - with whole communities held to ransom by dealers.

“Unfortunately, it's confirming what those of us on the ground already knew and suspected,” he said.

“Crack cocaine has arrived in Dublin, particularly notably along the South inner city and the north inner city – but it's not confined to any post code.

“It's across the city - and what we're also realizing is we really need to prioritize tackling the causes and the consequences of crack cocaine.”

Cllr Doolan is calling for increased funding to support local community projects working with drug-rehab schemes.