Ahead of a full meeting of Belfast City Council tonight (4 November), she reaffirmed her commitment to bringing forward a report on how to facilitate supplying spike testing kits at council events and events that happen on the council estate.

Cllr Maghie has said: “Our night-time economy is an essential aspect of Belfast’s social fabric, and it’s something everyone should be able to enjoy without fearing for their safety.

“Drink spiking is a scourge on society and speaking as someone who has unfortunately been victim to it, it’s a terrifying experience and we must be proactive in our attempts to stamp it out.

“My colleague Cllr Micky Murray brought a motion on this over a year ago, inspired by Queens University introducing kits on their property. By ensuring drink spiking testing kits are available across Belfast City Council events and venues, we can help to prevent and reduce spiking incidents and get early medical interventions to victims of spiking related incidents, as well as help reduce incidents of ASB and sexual assaults in our city.

“We as a council must lead the way on keeping people safe in our city, particularly young women who are way too often made dangerously vulnerable by the criminal behaviour committed recklessly against them, and take every measure to prevent drink spiking in our venues.”