They hurt but some people want them (7)

I believe the answer is:

damages

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'they' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are plural nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I don't see?

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for damages that I've seen before include "Money paid in compensation for loss or injury" , "Money awarded as compensation" , "Moneys paid as compensation for an injury" , "Harms" , "Hurts" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish News.

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