Free bereavement counselling must be offered to victims of crime who suffer traumatic events, support groups have said.

Criminals preying on tourists are most likely to target young women sightseeing in Dublin during the afternoon, a new report reveals.

Tourists can be seen as easy targets for crime, which may help explain the increase in the number of cases referred to the Irish Tourist Assistance Service last year.

Young female tourists shopping and sightseeing during the day are the main targets of criminals, figures show.

YOUNG female tourists sightseeing, shopping or dining during the day are the mains targets of criminals, figures show.

There were 361 crimes reported against some 620 tourists in this country last year, according to figures released yesterday by a support group for visitors.

A total of 361 visitors to Ireland reported being the victim of crime last year

THE number of foreign tourists who sought help from special support services after becoming a victim of a crime while holidaying in Ireland rose by 6% last year.

Up to 250 tourists, mostly Europeans, were mugged in Ireland in 2006, figures showed today.

ALMOST 500 tourists here became victims to crime last year.

Generous passengers travelling through Dublin Airport have given 19 Irish charities a Christmas present worth thousands of euro.