New crime figures prompt criticism

Opposition parties said the latest crime figures could not disguise the fact that the Government had presided over a significant increase in crime since it took office in 1998.

Instead of engaging in self-congratulations, the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell should accept that crime was a serious issue and commit the necessary resources to deal with it. Fine Gael's spokesman on justice, Mr Jim O'Keeffe TD, said 14,000 more headline offences were committed last year than in 1998.

"Last year there were 280 extra crimes every week compared to 1998. This is how Minister McDowell squandered the Rainbow Government's successful track record on tackling crime. Instead of crowing over his 'success', the Minster should be explaining the enormously higher crime levels which now apply under his stewardship.

"The Minister described (last night's) statistics as a 'remarkable achievement by An Garda Síochána'. It is remarkable indeed given that the Gardaí achieved it in the face of chronic under-resourcing at the hands of the Minister." The increase in gun crime and robberies of cash in transit were of particular concern, he said.

Labour's spokesman on justice, Mr Joe Costello TD, said while headline offences had decreased, some categories had shown an increase and were "very worrying".

"In cases of rape and aggravated sexual assault there have been very significant increases and this would have to be viewed very seriously. Against the background of these increases there is very little by way of facilities to medically examine people who have been the victim of sexual assaults. The sexual assault units in hospitals are crying out for more resources".

The Government must accept that there were very significant increases in crime in 2000 and 2001, he added. Crime levels were still too high. There was a need for targeted Garda operations to tackle some emerging patterns of criminal activity, such as the robbery of large amounts of cash as it was being transported.