Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 May 1999

Vol. 504 No. 2

Written Answers. - Crime Levels.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

304 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of crimes reported in the past 12 months; if the figures indicate an increase in serious crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11740/99]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue):

Crime statistics in respect of the past 12 months have not yet been published. Provisional statistics for the 12 months ending 31 March 1999 are shown in the table below. I should emphasise that these figures are subject to change as Garda investigations progress.

I understand that by serious crime, the Deputy is referring in particular to the offences of rape, murder and armed robbery, and I shall accordingly limit my comments to these crimes.

In the case of murder, the statistics show no change over the period shown, with 39 offences recorded in both 12 month periods.

Regrettably, the number of rapes reported to the gardaí continues to rise, although the rate of increase has slowed down dramatically. I recently welcomed the Garda Commissioner's announcement that he is taking all the necessary steps to identify the reasons for this increase and to put in place measures to tackle this vicious crime. I also expect to publish legislation during the sum mer which will give added protection to victims of rape who have to face the further ordeal of court when the attacker is brought to justice.

Finally, the statistics for the last 12 months show a 4 per cent rise in the offence of robbery with firearms. A glance at the very small numbers involved, however, will show that this apparent rise may be less significant than it at first appears.

Provisional Crime Statistics for the 12 months ending 31 March, 1999

Category	End March98	End March99	VariationNumeric	VariationPercent
Murder	39	39	0	0%
Rape	299	325	26	9%
False Imprisonment	29	38	9	31%
Burglary	26,449	24,830	1,619	6%
Agg. Burglery/Firearms	172	145	27	16%
Agg. Burglary/Other	817	693	124	15%
Robbery/Firearms	78	81	3	4%
Robbery/Other	2,063	1,805	258	13%
Explosives	7	5	2	29%
Larceny/Person	5,797	4,970	827	14%
Larceny/From MPV	12,752	11,877	875	7%
Larceny/Shop	7,108	7,655	547	8%
Larceny/Other	14,251	14,905	654	5%
All Other Crime	17,728	16,218	1,510	9%
Total	87,589	83,586	4,003	5%