Murder rate almost doubles

The number of murders almost doubled in the second three months of 2009 compared to the same period last year, according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

The latest statistics on crime, published today, show there were 15 murders during the period, an increase of 7 (87.5 per cent) on the period in 2008.

However over the 12-month period to June the rate of murders declined by 7.9 per cent , falling from 63 to 58.

While crime fell in most other categories the figures show increases in robbery, extortion and hijacking offences, controlled drug offences as well as weapons and explosive-related crimes.

The quarterly figures for robbery, extortion and hijacking offences rose by 4.2 per cent (from 553 to 576). There were also 981 recorded offences of robbery of an establishment or institution in the 12-month period ending in June 2009, an increase of over 11 per cent on the corresponding period last year.

Kidnapping and related offences increased by 81.3 per cent to 29 in the second quarter. But in the 12-month period ending in after the second three months of 2009, false imprisonment offences decreased by 23.8 per cent (from 63 to 48).

The offence of human trafficking was added for the first time affecting the total number of crimes recorded.

Sexual offences decreased slightly from 345 in the second three months of 2008 to 340 this year, but figures for the 12-month period up to June show an increase of 39 on the previous year in the number of male or female rape offences recorded – from 335 to 374.

Dangerous driving leading to death offences decreased from 13 to 4 but the CSO warned this figure may change as ongoing investigations will result in some cases being reclassified as homicide.

Fine Gael’s Charlie Flanagan criticised the Government for the increase in murders, saying Ireland’s gangland “now rivals Italy’s mafia”.

Mr Flanagan said: “The 87.5 per cent hike in murders on the same period last year is the bloody legacy of years of Fianna Fáil neglect.

He added the Government’s “mismanagement and misguided priorities have deprived people of the opportunity to have extra gardaí on the streets, more prison places and greater protection of victims of crime".

Labour’s Joanna Tuffy said the statistics gave “little cause for optimism” and said the 81 per cent increase in driving under the influence of drugs was “astonishing”.

”There is a clear need for visible Garda presence and strong policing in areas that are ravaged by drug-based crime and funding to local drug task forces must be maintained,” she said.