More than eight out of 10 perpetrators of assault are male — while men also make up three quarters of all victims of assault.

Mobile phones are the item most likely to be stolen, with some 7,000 snatched last year.

Upwards of 500 houses have been evacuated since Storm Desmond hit, with more than 270 families still unable to return to their homes.

Gardaí have issued a series of tips to advise people on how to protect themselves and their property over the Christmas period.

The Garda Síochána has published its Twelve Safety Tips of Christmas as a reminder to people about how to protect themselves and their property during the busy festive period.

Nearly €15m worth of jewellery and €7.8m in cash was stolen from Irish homes in the past year. In total, property worth €35.1m was stolen between July 2013 and July 2014.

More than 200 cars were stolen last year by thieves using magnets or long hooks to 'fish' car keys through letterboxes.

More than €10m worth of jewellery and cash was stolen from homes in the last six months of 2013, the Garda have revealed.

Householders have been warned about a crime craze of “fishing” burglars who use long rods to steal car and home keys through letterboxes.