CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS are pursued in fewer than one in 10 cases for some crime types, with many conviction rates in single digits, new data by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) reveals. CONOR LALLY, Crime Correspondent, reports.
The figures also show that about four in 10 motorists detected drink-driving are escaping conviction, while more than 90 per cent of criminals discharging firearms are never convicted of the offence.
However, in general terms the new analysis debunks the myth that conviction rates are lowest for gangland crime, murder and rape.
Conviction rates for murder and manslaughter are as high as 50 per cent and 86 per cent respectively, while almost half of those found in possession of drugs for sale or supply are convicted in the courts.
Conviction rates for rape reach 10 per cent. While low, this is higher than some other crime types. Conviction rates for burglary in the four years to 2006 ran at 6 and 7 per cent.
Of the 12,000 to 13,000 vehicle thefts every year in the period, a conviction was recorded in 5 per cent of cases. In other theft cases the conviction rate is 10 or 11 per cent annually.
In many categories gardaí are very successful in securing convictions in cases that reach the courts. However, very significant numbers of cases are never progressed that far.
For example, of 12,000 to 13,000 assault cases committed every year between 2003 and 2006, less than half, on average, resulted in criminal proceedings commencing. A similar scenario exists with burglary and other property-related crimes.
In many crime categories offenders have often left the scene before an offence is noticed, meaning their identities are never known. In other cases, the DPP decides not to proceed for lack of evidence or witnesses are too fearful to give evidence. Some cases are discontinued because of technical problems with evidence or after the accused wins a legal challenge which prevents prosecution.
In all crime categories there are some cases pending from the 2003 to 2006 period under review, meaning conviction rates will rise when these are disposed of.
The analysis of the Garda's crime statistics published by the CSO yesterday represents the first time the passage through the criminal justice system of recorded crime has been tracked and the findings published.
The CSO last year assumed responsibility from the Garda for compiling the force's crime figures. It intends to publish details of headline, or serious, and non-headline crime together.
It also intends to more fully assess crime levels by using sources other than official Garda statistics.
Data will be compiled from victimisation surveys. It will also be gathered from prosecutions taken by Revenue, corporate enforcement agencies and various Government departments.
Yesterday, the CSO published the Garda's crime figures from 2003 to 2006 in the format it intends to use forthwith. While the headline and non-headline figures have been published before, the CSO's analysis of those statistics has never been done.
It reveals that of the 37 murders committed in 2003, some 13, or 35 per cent, led to a conviction. In 2004 the conviction rate is higher, at 48 per cent, or 15 of the 31 recorded murders.
In 2005 and 2006 the conviction rates fall to 21 per cent and 5 per cent respectively. This is because a large number of the murders committed in those years have yet to come before the courts.
Of the 14 manslaughters committed in 2003, gardaí secured 13 convictions. The rates are lower for the next three years ,but will rise as cases work their way through the courts.