Mixed Trends In Recorded Crime

This is primarily due to the level of dangerous driving causing death decreasing by more than half (although the CSO caution that all road collision investigations for the period have not concluded which could result in some incidents being reclassified as homicides).

While year-on-year cases of murder and manslaughter increased by 26.9% and remain at "a completely unacceptable level", the trend has improved in the first quarter of 2008 where there has been no increase on the corresponding period in 2007.

Sexual offences have declined both year-on-year (down 8.2%) and for the quarter (down 29.8%) and this is to be welcomed although the Minister acknowledges that issues remain around the willingness of victims to report crime, which is the subject of research at present.

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr. Dermot Ahern, T.D., commended the leadership and members of An Garda Síochána for a number of positive aspects to the figures. For example, robberies of an establishment or institution and of cash or goods in transit decreased year-on-year by 16.9% and 43.3% respectively. He welcomed too the fact that what are the detection of what are classified as Controlled Drug Offences are up 31% year on year. As with the increases in areas such as possession of offensive weapons and some disorderly conduct offences, such offences, of their nature, are only recorded if detected by the Gardaí and, accordingly, represent the increased levels of activity by the Gardaí in these areas.

The Minister expressed concern at the increase in burglary and related offences (a year-on-year increase of 3.6% and quarter-on-quarter of 14.3%). He said that, while burglaries may not be high profile crimes, they caused understandable and enormous distress to the victims. The Garda Commissioner has assured the Minister that the Force is taking a series of measures to counteract the rising trend for these offences. These include identifying blackspots and launching targeted operations against those involved in these activities. The Commissioner held a Crime Conference with senior management last week at which the need to take action in this area was highlighted and strategies were devised which are being taken forward.

The Minister welcomed the year-on-year increase from 37 to 242 in fireworks offences as evidence that the changes in the law in this area which came into force during the period were proving effective.

Minister Ahern said: "Obviously the Gardaí and other agencies of the criminal justice system cannot deal alone with all aspects of crime in our society. I know that the vast majority of people are anxious to do what they can to assist them. That is why I am anxious to develop a spirit of partnership in tackling crime. One of my priorities is establishing a Joint Policing Committee in each local authority area during 2008 where the Gardaí, public representatives and community interests can come together. There is already a pilot programme in 29 local authority areas and, in conjunction with my colleague Minister John Gormley, I intend to roll this out to all 114 local authority areas as soon as possible this year. This will help make policing more responsive to the needs of communities while at the same time allowing communities to play their full role in tackling crime."