DETECTIVES are satisfied that the highly addictive drug crystal meth has not gained a foothold here but say abuse of the synthetic drug does exist, mostly within the Czech and Lithuanian community.

Last week, a 40-year-old Czech grandmother was jailed in Kerry for dealing crystal meth. It was one of the first court cases in Ireland involving the drug. Helena Givona, of Green House Lane, Desmond House, Tralee, was jailed for two years after she pleaded guilty to possession of the drug for sale or supply in August last year. Gardaí found 183 deals of the drug, with a minimum street value of €3,600, in ziplock bags inside a handbag in her wardrobe when a search was carried out at her apartment.

Ginova told gardaí that the drug, known as 'pico' in eastern Europe, was manufactured by Czech nationals living in Ireland. The manufacture of the drug is complex, one of the core ingredients is contained in over-the-counter flu and cold medicines.

Ginova told gardaí she was involved in selling it to raise money to buy a headstone for her dead son in the Czech Republic. Detective Garda Eoin Donovan told Tralee circuit criminal court the drug causes psychosis, anxiety and violence and users can break out in a rash "tearing their skin to relieve the itch… It's a highly addictive drug, more addictive than heroin."

A source said gardaí became concerned in 2007 that the drug would make an impact in Ireland but extensive research since has shown it has failed to make an impact in this country to date.

"Most people who do use the drug here are Czech and Lithuanian nationals as well as some Swedish people. Thankfully, it has never really taken off here. It is extremely dangerous to produce, it frequently explodes. Crystal meth has ravaged parts of the US, it is one of the most devastating drugs there."