The Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD, has noted today’s publication of Recorded Crime Statistics by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) for Q3 2020.
The statistics, which cover both the number of offences in Q3 itself and in the 12 month period to Q3, demonstrate a general, and welcome, decrease in many categories of crime over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister McEntee said:
“An Garda Síochána have played a vital role in supporting communities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Of course, crime has not stopped and criminals continue to look for opportunities to exploit. In addition to supporting the public health regulations, Gardaí have shown their determination to continue to prevent and detect crime with significant seizures and arrests for drugs, organised crime, burglaries, and drug and drink driving.
I commend the quick and proactive approach of An Garda Síochána, including public awareness initiatives and operations, particularly in relation to domestic violence under Operation Faoiseamh.”
Burglary and related offences saw a decrease over the twelve months to end September 2020 of 20%, and by 31% compared to Q3 2019. Likewise theft and related offences were down by 18% in the twelve months to end September, and by 19% compared to Q3 2019. Robbery, extortion and hijacking offences decreased by 12% compared to the previous twelve month period, and by 17% compared to Q3 2019.
While there was a 0.2% increase in the number of sexual offences recorded in Q3 compared to the same period last year, the statistics indicate a 12% decreasewhen compared to the 12 month period to September 2019.
The Minister added:
“Preventing and addressing sexual crime remains a key priority. I strongly urge all victims to come forward and report these horrific crimes. The rollout of the Divisional Protective Services Units (DPSU) within An Garda Síochána is now complete nationwide with DPSUs in every Garda division across the country. This means that there are now specially trained officers available nationwide who are responsible for engagement with and interviewing vulnerable victims. This will ensure that when vulnerable victims of crimes such as domestic abuse and sexual violence present to Gardaí, they are met with a consistently high standard of specialist professional and expert assistance.”
Recorded offences in relation to drugs increased in a number of categories. Controlled drug offences rose by 9% (1,818 offences) in the twelve month period to end September, with an increase both in possession for simple possession and drugs for sale or supply contributing the highest volume to the increase. There was also an increase of 108% in recorded instance of driving/in charge of a vehicle under the influence of drugs in the year to end September.
The Minister said:
“The Government and An Garda Síochána are united in our resolve to relentlessly target organised crime at all levels and send a clear message to criminals that we will take all necessary action to stop them, bring them to justice and prevent them from leading our young into a life of crime and violence. Sustained action by An Garda Síochána has continued unabated throughout the pandemic, bringing significant convictions and ongoing seizures of drugs, firearms and ammunition. In the first six months of 2020, Garda operations to counter organised crime resulted in the seizure of €13.6m in illicit drugs, 13 firearms and 2,000 rounds of ammunition.
Drug driving is completely unacceptable. You should never get behind the wheel when you have consumed anything which can impair your ability to drive and I would urge all members of the public not to engage in this over the Christmas period. The death of anyone on our roads is a horrific tragedy and it would be devastating for anyone to learn that a loved one had been killed in Christmas week as a result of drug driving.”