The drop in crime figures over the past year shows the effectiveness of the Garda Síochána in combating crime, according to the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell.
The provisional figures for the year ending on October 31st show that all categories of crime except theft had fallen over the same period last year. Theft from the person rose by 15 per cent, theft of bicycles by 28 per cent and thefts from shops and cars by 4 and 1 per cent respectively.
Burglaries, however, were slightly down on the same period last year. Robberies were also down significantly. Robbery from an institution was down 15 per cent, robbery of cash or goods in transit down 16 per cent, and robbery from the person down 1 per cent. Murders fell from 56 to 47, a drop of 16 per cent, and assaults by over 20 per cent. The figures for reported sexual offences also fell, following a number of years of steady rise. Rape of a female fell by 10 per cent, "Section Four" rape (usually with an object) by 38 per cent and aggravated sexual assault by 59 per cent. Unlawful carnal knowledge, which was up last year, fell by 13 per cent.
The figures also show a fall in firearms offences, with possession of firearms down 13 per cent, and the discharge of firearms down 7 per cent. Drug offences also fell.
There were 2,340 arrests for the possession of drugs for sale compared with 2,563 the previous year, a drop of 9 per cent. There was a massive increase, however, in arrests for being intoxicated in charge of a vehicle, which was up 67 per cent.