Mick Nugent who had no other conviction was part of a group that were going out to give a punishment beating to a known drug dealer that you wish to merely describe as a "someone". And your "Not so long ago" was in fact 20 years ago so it seems there's a bit of twisting going on in your narrative.
The Superintendent was asked was it not laudable to be involved in anti drugs campaigning.
"Yes," said Chief Superintendent Callaghan, "within certain parameters."
While we can disagree on the parameters and lengths to which known drug dealers should be subjected to, I think most right thinking people agree that anti-drugs campaigning is laudable.
Though there are some here who clearly prefer the drug-dealers to those who'd give them a beating.