THE STATE’S crime rate has risen by almost 6 per cent in the past 12 months with increases in theft, public order and drug crime driving the upward trend, new figures reveal.
However, while the crime data released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) shows an increase in murder and manslaughter, other serious offences including gun crime, major cash robberies and sexual offences have all decreased.
Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy said increased burglaries and thefts underlined the need for a renewed partnership between gardaí and the community.
“We would appeal once again to people to take care of their property and not leave their homes and property vulnerable to criminals.”
He was speaking against the background of a near 4 per cent increase, in the 12 months ended March 31st in burglary and related offences, to 24,380 cases. Thefts and related offences increased by 3 per cent, to 2,159 cases, in the same period.
The commissioner said the increases had informed the crime prevention programme launch by the Garda last month.
Last Wednesday, he assembled senior Garda management and discussed crime levels and initiatives to address them. Regional “crime performance meetings” would be held to discuss progress.
Fine Gael’s justice spokesman Charlie Flanagan TD expressed concern at the increase in murders and drug crime. He said Garda overtime should not be reduced and called for 24-hour surveillance of known criminals.
Labour’s justice spokesman Pat Rabbitte TD said the new figures “paint a grim picture” of the crime problem “after a decade of Fianna Fáil government”. “We need new measures to target the gangs and put the crime bosses out of business and behind bars,” he said.
Public order offences increased 8 per cent in the year under review. There were 56 murder threats in the first quarter of 2008 compared to 40 for the same period in 2007.
In the year to March 31st, 2008, drug crime increased by 31 per cent, the most significant increase of any crime. The number of offences rose by 4,668 to 19,687. There were 14,954 cases of possession of drugs for personal use, regarded as the most minor of all drug crimes.
Murders increased by 28 per cent to 78 cases, compared with 61 cases in the previous corresponding period. Manslaughters increased by 17 per cent, up one case to seven.
Sexual offences were down by 8 per cent to 1,248. Of these, rapes were down 3 per cent, to 339 cases.
Professionals dealing with the aftermath of sexual violence have consistently said falling sex crime figures reflect under-reporting rather than any real decrease in the incidence of such crimes.
Trends relating to gun crime reveal Garda operations against armed gangs are winning out.
The number of discharging and possession of firearm offences reduced by four to 735 cases, following increases in recent years.
The new figures represent the first time the CSO has released crime data under a new classification system.
It puts the emphasis on comparing the number of offences committed in 15 crime types – such as drug, gun, public order or sex crimes – rather than comparing the overall number of offences.
However, when the total number of offences committed under each of the 15 categories is tallied, it reveals a 5.6 per cent increase in total crime.
In the 12 months to March 31st 2008, 287,194 crimes were detected compared with 271,724 in the 12 months ending March 31st 2007.