Headline crime jumped by more than 22 per cent last year, the Minister for Justice Mr McDowell told the Seanad today.
Announcing provisional figures for 2002 Mr McDowell said: "I will make no bones about it; the news is not good." The figures are pending the publication of fully validated statistics by the Garda.
The 22.2 per cent increase is represented by the recording of a total of 105,840 headline offences. Some 51 murder cases were recorded in 2002, a decrease of 1 on 2001.
Assaults have increased by just under 50 per cent while the figures for sexual offences show an increase of approximately 62 per cent. Sexual assaults, the largest group of offences in this category, rose by more than 50 per cent, while the figures for rape increased by approximately 25 per cent.
Larcenies, the largest single group of offences, also increased by 25 per cent, while fraud-related crimes increased by 22 per cent. Offences recorded under a "miscellaneous" heading increased by approximately 65 per cent. These include offences under the Child Pornography legislation as well as dangerous driving causing dead, child neglect and cruelty and firearms offences.
Mr McDowell said that while the figures awaited validation by the Garda's own statistics he did not expect them to be adjusted significantly.
"The figures are a matter of great concern. They demand a firm, comprehensive and coherent strategy for dealing with crime," Mr McDowell said adding that resources for fighting crime would be given to the Garda, the courts. He also said sufficient prison places would be provided.
But the Minister said there was no "quick fix solution".
"Apart from issues of personal morality and free choice, tackling the causes of crime involves addressing a wide range of societal issues such as marginalisation, educational and social deficits, housing issues, questions of parental responsibility and so on," he added.
"One of my major concerns is the implications of the drink culture for public order and society generally."
He said proposals recommended by the Liquor Licensing Commission would be brought to Government in the near future, including measures to address under-age drinking.
