THE NUMBER of crimes recorded in the Republic increased by 5 per cent over the past year, driven by higher levels of drug dealing, robbery and public order offences and by increased levels of property-related crime.
The trends are contained in new data released by the Central Statistics Office.
While overall recorded crime is rising, some of the most serious offences are down, with homicide falling 45 per cent and sexual offences down 6 per cent. Murders decreased by one-third to 52 cases in the 12 months to the end of September. Sexual offences fell 6 per cent to 1,297 cases in the same period.
Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern said he believed the Garda's focus on "at-risk areas" had significantly contributed to the falling homicide rate. He also welcomed the 8 per cent decrease in the number of people caught drink-driving. "It shows that drivers are getting the message . . . if you drive over the limit you are much more likely to be caught."
He was concerned by the 148 per cent annualised increase, to 471 cases, of "drug-driving". However, he believed much of the increase was attributable to greater enforcement by gardaí.
Labour's justice spokesman Pat Rabbitte TD said the near 25 per cent increase in drugs offences was a "sharp reminder" of the failure of Mr Ahern to "get to grips" with the drugs trade.
He was also concerned at the level of public order and property-related offences, which accounted for just under 107,000 of the total 289,000 recorded crimes.
"This figure bears out the anecdotal evidence that floods into the offices of public representatives across the country, relating to anti-social behaviour, vandalism and intimidation that happens on a daily basis at local level," he said.
Fine Gael's spokesman on justice Charlie Flanagan TD was concerned at increased gangland crime and at the 14 per cent increase in rape in the last quarter.
"The Government is still not doing enough to tackle sexual offences," he said
Drugs offences, including importation, possession for personal use and for supply were up 23.5 per cent to 21,990 cases. This was the biggest percentage increase of any crime type.
Garda sources said that while the increase reflected the continued strong demand for drugs, it was also proof more drug dealers than ever were being caught.
Discharging of firearms fell by 27 per cent to 246 cases. Possession of firearms increased by 19 per cent to 499 cases. Kidnapping and related offences fell 13 per cent to 83 cases.
Robbery and hijacking increased 5.5 per cent to 2,350 cases. Burglaries were up 10 per cent to 25,198 cases while thefts were up 4 per cent to 77,040.
