Ahern Welcomes Fall In Crime

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Dermot Ahern T.D., has said the statistics on recorded crime in the first quarter of 2009 - released by the Central Statistics Office last week - show encouraging trends. Of the 14 crime groups for which statistics are given, ten show reductions.

The Minister said: "I welcome many of the positive trends revealed by these statistics on recorded crime for the first quarter. They are evidence of the focused deployment by the Garda Commissioner of the resources available to him. 

"As well as ensuring that the level of frontline resources remains high, I am determined to continue with my programme of comprehensive criminal law reform. 

"The challenges in crime prevention and detection are evolving continually and our response must recognise these challenges and respond accordingly."

The Minister welcomed in particular the continuing decrease in homicide offences, which dropped by 30.4% in the quarter, compared to the same quarter last year. 

There were no cases of manslaughter and a decrease of 77.8% in cases of dangerous driving leading to death. The number of murders increased by one, from 13 to 14.     

The Minister said: "While there was a minimal increase in the number of murders in the quarter, I am aware that the majority of these were carried out with firearms, which is a characteristic of gang-related murders. I am concerned at the level of serious crime for which organised crime is responsible, and I am continuing to work on strong legislative responses." 

A de facto handgun ban is already in force. Work is also ongoing in relation to the creation of a DNA database.

Mr Ahern said that he expects to be in a position to seek Government approval to publish a Bill shortly to give effect to the 'Justice for Victims' Initiative, as well as to introduce further elements of considerable benefit in the fight against crime.

The Minister also welcomed the reduction of 28.9% in sexual offences in the quarter.  He also noted the appearance of human trafficking offences in the statistics, following the enactment of the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act last year.

There were small increases in the numbers of cases of discharging a firearm and possession of a firearm in the quarter, of 4.3% and 4.2% respectively.

Detections of possession are predominantly the result of Garda enforcement, and the increase in the number of cases of discharging reflects the activities of criminal gangs which the Minister said he is taking steps to combat.

There was an increase of 33.3% in the number of fireworks offences, which follows modernisation of the law in this area and increased Garda enforcement, including during the New Year period. 

While there was a decrease of 15.2% in the number of cases of possession of drugs for sale or supply, the increases in the numbers of cases of possession for personal use (10.1%) and of cultivation or manufacture of drugs (79.3%) are related to increased enforcement activity. 

There was also an increase of 26.2% in the number of cases of driving, or being in charge of, a vehicle while under the influence of drugs.

This was said to result from increasing Garda attention to this type of behaviour which "is not only illegal but extremely dangerous to other road users."