Speaking to the Sunday Tribune, Murray said that while people were quick to point out social problems in Limerick's Moyross and Southill, society in general has become apathetic to violence and drug use.

"We're probably all not asking the big questions anymore, such as 'What's life all about?' and 'What does human dignity mean today?'

This all contributes to society's certain shallowness right now."

He said the extensive use of cocaine by the middle classes was reflective of people who were "living for things that are not important."

He also indicated that consumerism has replaced religion in people's lives and "we have to be very careful that it doesn't become our reason for living".

Murray is the second member of the Catholic church's hierarchy to speak out in recent weeks on the subject of the country's cocaine problem.

Two weeks ago, the archbishop of Dublin queried why people who use cocaine for recreational purposes don't see any link between their activities and gangland deaths.

"You get people using cocaine on a Saturday night and eating organic food on a Sunday, " he said in an interview with the Sunday Tribune.

Fr Pat Hogan, parish priest of Southill, told the Sunday Tribune that he had concerns about the emergence of "unreachable young teenagers."

Murray said there was a "lack of inspiration" in some parts of Moyross and Southill and "some people have grown up without a great deal of hope", believing the "only strength they have is that other people are afraid of them".