Steep rise in drink driving offences reported across Offaly in 2023

THERE was a steep rise in the number of people driving a vehicle while intoxicated in the Tullamore and Birr areas in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.

At the May meeting of the Joint Policing Committee, Superintendent Lawless and Inspector Lalor, reported that the figure rose from nine to 20 which is a 122% change.

In addition there was an increase in traffic collisions resulting in material damage, with the figure rising from 132 in the first quarter of last year to 145 for the same period this year.

There were two fatalities for the first quarter this year which remained the same quarter one of last year. Supt Lawless described these two fatalities as ''very tragic and very difficult for all involved.''

Most other crimes were down in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period in 2022.

Assaults, including those on a member of the Garda Siochanna, were down from 6 to 2. Assault causing harm down from 32 to 25. Assault minor 64 down to 44.

Harassment was down from 2 to 1. Murder and threats to kill were down from 11 to 9.

Supt Lawless pointed out that this category is not as serious as it seems and is mostly just threats.

Overall there was a reduction of 26% in crimes against the person.

''People are safer out in the community which is good news. We did a lot of work this year into repeat offenders and working closely with the court regarding bail conditions,'' he said.

Under the heading of Drugs and Weapons Offences, the cultivation or manufacture of drugs went form zero in quarter one of 2022 to 1 in 2023. Possession of drugs for sale or supply rose from 8 to 10.

Inspector Lalor said a new drugs unit is to be set up in the jurisdiction starting next month, ''hopefully we will seen an improvement as a direct result.'' he added.

Councillor Ken Smollen, congratulated the Gardai on, '' the welcome reduction in crime''

However, he said he was ''disappointed in the figure for possession of drugs for sale or supply.

''People are very concerned about the number of drugs that are in society,'' he said. He said he hoped the setting up of a drugs unit will address this issue.

Councillor Neil Feighery, described the crime figures as encouraging, and said it was ''down to the excellent work by an Garda Siochanna. I think all of it is encouraging. He was concerned at the increase in the use of recreational drugs. ''It all comes down to education and re-education in schools and colleges,'' he added.

Councillor Mark Hackett, said the only thing that stood out for him was the level of drink driving, and added that he hoped the Gardai would focus more on that during the summer.

Councillor Sean O'Brien, said he recently read a report which indicated that Offaly had one of the highest number of penalty points issued in the country. ''It shows the work on the ground of the Gardai here.

“The main crimes were speeding and holding a mobile phone while driving. It's good to see that Gardai throughout the county are on the ball,'' he said.