Drugs in our schools

Students in Cavan and Monaghan hospitalised after using vapes laced with HHC

TWO secondary schools in Cavan and Monaghan had to seek treatment for two of their students after they became ill at school from smoking vapes suspected to be filled with illegal drugs, writes Zoe Tunney.

The Anglo-Celt has learned that one school in Cavan and another in Monaghan had to call ambulances for the children after they felt unwell from inhaling the vapes believed to be filled with HHC (hexahydrocannbinol).

A spokesperson representing the Co Monaghan school told the Celt gardaí “are making the necessary enquiries" while the Co Cavan school told the Celt their pupil was taken to hospital as a precaution.

Meanwhile, An Garda Síochána confirmed officers searched a commercial premises in Monaghan Town on March 9 and seized “a number of suspected HHC vapes”.

A garda spokesperson said the seized items will be sent to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis while their investigations are “ongoing”.

The vapes ingested by the Cavan and Monaghan students are suspected of containing HHC, which has been banned in Ireland since July 2025 for its effects on users, especially young people.

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