THE NUMBER of crimes recorded in the Republic increased marginally last year as gardaí detected more drug crime than ever and burglary and theft offences increased, according to new data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
Some of the most serious offences, such as murder, manslaughter, discharging of firearms and rape, all fell last year.
Homicide offences recorded the biggest decrease, down 42.9 per cent last year. The biggest increase was recorded in the drugs category, where offences rose 25.4 per cent in 2008.
The overall incidence of recorded crime increased by 3.6 per cent in 2008 compared to 2007. In the last quarter of 2008 crime fell 4.5 per cent compared to the last quarter of 2007.
A large portion of the rising annual crime rate can be accounted for by proactive operations put in place by gardaí aimed at detecting and prosecuting as many crimes as possible.
For example, almost half of the annual increase can be accounted for by the increase in detections of those carrying drugs for personal use. Drug detections rise when gardaí put in place sustained investigations aimed at catching drug users and dealers.
The number of crimes recorded last year increased by just over 10,000 to almost 295,000, with possession of drugs for personal use, at 17,998 cases, accounting for almost 4,000 of the increase.
Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy welcomed the fall in the number of violent deaths last year.
“Nonetheless . . . we are maintaining our focus on areas such as gangland crime, particularly in light of a number of serious incidents at the start of this year, to ensure that this downward trend continues.”
He welcomed the increase in drug-related detections, saying by tackling drug crime gardaí were also addressing other offences often linked to drugs, such as serious violent crime, thefts, robberies and public order offences.
Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern said the falling crime rate in the last quarter of last year was proof of the Garda’s effectiveness. He believed a range of planned measures would further aid the force. “In the weeks and months ahead, for example, there will be major progress in areas such as the ban on handguns, controls on knives, new surveillance powers to deal with gangland crime and terrorism [and] a DNA database.”
Fine Gael justice spokesman Charlie Flanagan TD said knife crime had increased by 34 per cent in the past two years. He believed increasing antisocial behaviour needed to be tackled with more community policing. “The 25 per cent cut in Garda overtime this year, combined with the freeze on civilian recruitment, will mean fewer gardaí on the beat.”
Labour’s justice spokesman Pat Rabbitte TD expressed concern about robbery and public order-related increases. Rising drug crime proved the Government’s strategies were not working. “We need new measures to target the gangs and put the crime bosses out of business and behind bars.”
Sinn Féin spokesman on justice Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD said the 25 per cent increase in drug crime underlined the need to prioritise the issue.
The number of murders in 2008 was down 36 per cent to 49 cases. Rapes fell by almost 3 per cent to 343 cases, while overall sexual offences increased by just over 1 per cent to 1,384 cases.
Burglaries were up 3.7 per cent to 23,873. Aggravated burglaries – where a weapon or threat of a weapon was used – were up 28.2 per cent to 327 cases. Discharging of firearms was down 31 per cent to 224 cases while firearms possession offences were up 8.2 per cent to 462 cases.
Assault causing harm decreased by 2.2 per cent to 3,822 cases in 2008 while assault cases increased by 7 per cent to 11,999.
Drink- driving was down 8.8 per cent to 18,087 cases while drug-driving was up 128 per cent to 588 cases. Disorderly conduct offences increased by 3.7 per cent to 53,045 cases.