Drug crime increased dramatically in the third quarter of the year in spite of a small drop in the overall number of serious crimes generally, according to the latest figures. Paul Cullen reports
There was a 1.6 per cent fall in the number of "headline" offences in the third quarter of this year over the same period last year, with significant decreases in a range of robbery and theft offences and smaller drops in murders, manslaughters, sexual offences and burglaries.
However, drug dealing offences were up more than 25 per cent and drug manufacturing and importation offences almost doubled in the same period.
The total number of headline offences in the first nine months of this year stood at 77,610, up 3.1 per cent over the same period last year.
Arson, assaults, false imprisonment and deception were some of the offences showing an increase in these latest figures.
For the first time, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) published the quarterly crime figures, having taken over responsibility for the task from the Garda Síochána.
Minister for Justice Michael McDowell yesterday congratulated the Garda on the reduction in crime figures in the third quarter of the year, and claimed the "spike" in the figures which took place last year was now being "dissipated" by the force's improved performance.
However, the CSO figures show the annualised trend in crime is still almost 8 per cent above the low recorded at the start of 2005.
The Minister said he welcomed a 183 per cent increase in the number of people found cultivating, manufacturing or importing drugs, because this was due to dogged and skilful work by the gardaí.
"This underlines the fact that we're dealing with a very serious threat to Irish society. It isn't a matter of individual choice or freedom as to whether you take drugs. Every citizen in Ireland holds a duty of loyalty to the State and that entails upholding the criminal law.
"So if you do a line of cocaine in Foxrock you are personally responsible for the murder of someone in Clondalkin or Coolock or wherever. If you take E tabs you are breaking the law and you are personally responsible in part for the industry that is satisfying your habit. The same applies to cannabis. There is no tolerated level of drug consumption in Ireland. The law is the law and it applies to everyone."
On gun crime, Mr McDowell pointed out that mandatory minimum sentences of five to 10 years in jail will apply for a range of firearms offences from November 1st. Courts could impose lesser sentences only where there were exceptional and specific circumstances.
"These stringent new provisions, combined with the continuing efforts of the gardaí in Operation Anvil, will go a long way to ensuring that those found in possession of firearms will pay a very serious price for their crimes."
Referring to the reluctance of judges to impose mandatory minimum sentences that currently apply for drug offences, the Minister said the Oireachtas and the Government "expected" the judiciary would apply this law for firearms offences.
According to the CSO figures, there have been 46 murders or manslaughters in the first nine months of this year, compared with 44 last year.