Kelly demands urgent response from Justice Minister on soaring crime

A substantial increase in burglaries and related offences according to the latest CSO crime figures has prompted Tipperary TD Alan Kelly to demand an 'urgent response' from the Minister of Justice.

Burglaries rose by 10% in the 12 months up to September last year. Most of the overall increase relates to burglaries without violence, although violent burglaries have also increased by 15%.

There were 9,981 reported burglaries, more than 27 every day.

Theft offences also continue to increase, up 7%, with the six out of every ten crimes a theft from a shop.

There were also increases in the theft of cars (up 6%), theft from people (20%) and handling stolen property.

There have been increases in kidnappings, firearms and explosives offences and public order offences.

Violent crime also increased with attempted murder, assaults and related offences up 3%.

Some organised crime offences continue to decrease with reductions in homicides and drugs offences, including cultivation, possession and drug dealing.

However shootings increased by 20% over the 12 month period and drugs importation was up 83%, with 84 cases recorded.

Public Order and other social code offences increased 3% to over 30,000, with a 5% increase in disorderly conduct and a 16% increase in arson attacks which gardaí believe is linked to anti-immigrant sentiment.

There has been a reduction in cases of dangerous and drunk driving. However, almost 5,000 people were still caught drunk driving and there has been an increase in drug driving, with almost 2,000 people detected, an increase of 24%.

Speaking on Monday, Tipperary TD and Labour's Justice spokesperson, Alan Kelly, slammed the Government’s failure to tackle the rising levels of crime in communities across Ireland, following the publication of the latest Central Statistics Office (CSO) crime figures.

“Figures published today by the CSO highlight what Labour has been highlighting for some time—crime in our communities is rising, yet there has been no proactive response from the Minister for Justice”, he said.

“The saying is true—prevention is the best cure. It is clear that an increase in community policing is needed to tackle the rise in burglaries and related offences. Criminals are exploiting the lack of Garda presence, and ordinary people are paying the price.

“Meanwhile, trust between frontline Gardaí and the Office of the Garda Commissioner has broken down”, Deputy Kelly said.

“The Minister cannot wash his hands of this crisis while communities experience rising crime rates. Our Gardaí are overstretched and under-resourced, yet the Government refuses to address the serious concerns raised by both Garda representatives and the public.

“The Minister must make a statement to the Dáil to outline to communities what this Government is doing to protect them this. People need action, not excuses,” Deputy Kelly said.