The detection rate for homicides fell last year to 63 per cent from 77 per cent in 2004, according to the Garda Síochána annual report.
The number of crimes categorised as homicide rose by over 50 per cent, up from 98 to 155. These include infanticide, abortion and attempted murder, as well as murder and manslaughter. There were 54 murders in 2005, an increase of 17 on the previous year, of which 45 victims were male and nine female. Less than half (26) were detected.
There was an overall increase of 3 per cent in "headline" or serious crime between 2004 and 2005.
Most of the statistics for headline crime have been published throughout the year by the Department of Justice as they have become available. The Garda annual report also shows detection rates, and gives a breakdown of crimes per 100,000 of the population and area by area.
It shows that a disproportionate number of crimes are committed in Dublin, which accounts for almost half of all the crime. Those areas least affected by crime are in the north and west of the country.
Translated into crimes per 100,000, there are 39 crimes per 100,000 in Dublin, 17 in the northern area and 16 in the west.
International research shows that the likelihood of detection is the main deterrent factor in crime. The overall detection rate was 35 per cent in 2005, with this falling for arson and burglaries to 17 per cent. The detection rate for thefts other than burglaries was 36 per cent, and 38 per cent for robberies.
These types of offences account for the bulk of headline crimes, with thefts making up more than half the total, and burglaries making up another quarter.
Drug offences, which rose from 2,561 in 2004 to 3,064 in 2005, still account for only 3 per cent of all crime. There is a 99 per cent detection rate for recorded drug offences, reflecting the fact that detection and recording of these offences usually amount to the same thing.
The number of robberies where firearms were used fell in 2005, from 428 to 353. The bulk of these (65 per cent) occurred in Dublin. The number of robberies where syringes were used continued to fall, with 165 incidents recorded. There were 171 in 2004 and 371 in 2001.
The total value of property stolen, from individuals, houses, institutions and cars, was over €78 million, of which only €3 million was recovered. In 2004 almost twice that amount was recovered.
There were 5,456 offences committed by people who were on bail at the time, of which the majority again were thefts and burglaries.
For traffic offences, which are non-headline crimes, there was a fall of 5 per cent in arrests for drink-driving. However, the number convicted rose from 3,180 to 4,140. More than nine out of 10 of those convicted were male.
The report also reveals that 1,188 people were arrested for breaching domestic violence orders, a fall of about 12 per cent.
The National Immigration Bureau refused entry to 4,433 people at ports and airports, a similar figure to 2004, and deported 615 people.
The number of gardaí stood at 12,265 in December of last year, of whom 2,180, or one in six, were female.
However, the vast majority of women are concentrated at ordinary garda level, with only 147 female sergeants out of a total of 1,926 (one in 13), and 27 women at ranks above sergeant, out of a total of 524 senior gardaí, fewer than one in 20.