More than 670 people have used Ireland’s first Medically Supervised Injecting Facility (MSIF) since it opened its doors in Dublin city centre six months ago.
The facility, operated by Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI), has recorded over 4,000 visits from people who use drugs since its opening in December 2024. According to MQI CEO Eddie Mullins, staff at the centre have intervened in 59 overdose cases, incidents he believes would likely have been fatal without medical support.
“There is no question that lives have been saved,” Mullins said.
The MSIF, based in a temporary unit in the city centre, allows people who use injectable drugs to do so under the supervision of trained medical professionals. It is the first facility of its kind in the country and was established as part of a harm reduction strategy aimed at improving safety for both users and the wider public.
The service also connects users with addiction supports, healthcare, and other services. Staff include nurses, addiction workers, and peer support workers, all trained to respond quickly to overdoses or medical emergencies.
Advocates of the initiative say it plays a crucial role in reducing drug-related deaths, minimising the risks of public injecting, and helping some of the city’s most vulnerable individuals access longer-term support.
Critics of the plan had initially raised concerns about the location and broader implications for drug use in the capital, but the six-month data offers early evidence of the facility’s impact.
The Department of Health and the HSE are monitoring the pilot project as the government considers whether to expand supervised injecting services in Ireland. For now, the figures from MQI show that the Dublin facility is being regularly used and, in some cases, is a literal lifesaver.
*Figures cover up to June 12th - the facility is open 6 months on the June 22nd
