LIMERICK residents have expressed concern about a drug abuse epidemic in the area with addicts abusing hospital and church facilities.

Drug addicts have been using holy water in St John's Cathedral to clean syringes and the nearby St John's Hospital as a site to shoot up.

3 St John's Cathedral in Limerick City Credit: Google Maps

Locals have been left petrified to enter the church after mass hours, while workers at the nearby hospital left in a similar state after finding "blood on the walls" from drug injecting.

Sinn Fein representative and Garryowen resident John Nugent detailed the fear being felt by those affected in the area.

He told the Irish Sun: "What they are saying is that drug users having been washing their syringes in the fonts at the entrance to the cathedral.

"The locals are scared. I only live two minutes from the cathedral itself.

3 Addicts are using the holy water to clean syringes Credit: Alamy

"If I went to the cathedral on my way home, for years and years, there would always be six or seven people in the pews outside of mass time, praying or lighting candles.

"You don't see that anymore.

"One elderly lady called to my home and said she's frightened to go in there and light a candle for her deceased husband.

"She always found comfort in lighting a candle but she's frightened to go in there now.

"I've had no indication. The guards have been contacted on numerous occasions."

The cathedral is located within minutes the nearby St John's Hospital which has also subject to drug abuse - this time with a more gruesome mess left behind.

3 St John's Hospital has also been affected by the drug issue Credit: Google Maps

John continued: "Directly opposite the church is the hospital, and they are having issues with drug addicts again.

"They are gaining access to the hospital, and when they are pulling the curtains around the bed they are assuming the patients are asleep.

"They've been shooting up in bathrooms. I spoke to one cleaner who said she often sees blood on the walls."

Hospital employees have been left terrified and fear their safety while in the workplace.

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John explained: "I spoke to another cleaner and she said she's terrified of picking up bags, or empty bins in case she gets pricked by a needle.

"I spoke to a priest in St John's Cathedral has said there was something similar going on in St Michaels.

"I think every option should be explored and discussed because this issue needs to be addressed. Every option should be looked in to."