Accuracy of preliminary figures questioned

The accuracy of the preliminary crime figures for the first half of the year was "questionable", but the statistics still indicated a serious breakdown in law and order, according to Ms Róisín Shortall of the Labour Party.

Ms Shortall said that the crime figures of the past 18 months had "jumped about so wildly and unpredictably" that their accuracy could not be trusted. Some 300 serious offences were being committed every day and Irish people did not believe they were safer now than 12 months ago.

"Michael McDowell appears much more interested in deporting asylum-seekers than getting tough on crime. Still the wait goes on for the 2,000 additional gardaí, while he has presented us with only piecemeal police reforms."

Against the backdrop of gangland killings and high-profile assault cases it was "cold comfort for the Government that these figures reflect a slight drop in reported crime".

The Fine Gael spokesman on justice, Mr John Deasy, welcomed the latest figures but said that the current crime rate was still "well above" 2001 levels.

"There is a lot that can still be done and we have a long way to go before people start leaving keys in their front doors again," he said.

He added that it was no surprise that there had been a fall in reported crime at the same time as alcohol consumption had decreased. The trend underlined the potential of Fine Gael's 10-point Action on Alcohol Abuse plan, which includes the following proposals: a total ban on alcohol advertising, sponsorship and promotion; a return to previous pub opening hours; and the installation of CCTV cameras inside and outside all nightclubs.

Ms Muireann Ó Briain, chief executive of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, said she was "worried but not surprised" by a 46 per cent increase in cases of unlawful carnal knowledge in the first six months of the year, the biggest increase of any category.

The figures revealed that there were 73 cases of unlawful carnal knowledge in the six months to June 30th, 23 more than in the same period last year.

"We have experienced an increase in the number of calls coming in to us \ the age profile [of victims\] is getting younger and younger," she said.

Much of the increase in reported cases was probably due to a greater willingness than before to report incidents, she added.