Violent property crime has risen sharply, with a 17% increase in offences in the last year, Garda figures show.

The first batch of recruits to a heavily depleted traffic corps have been taken on as part of a five-year plan to bring its strength back to pre-austerity levels.

Recorded sexual offences, assaults, and property crimes rose sharply last year, according to Garda figures.

The Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) is conducting 14 investigations in Cork city and county, targeting drug dealers, gangs of burglars, and those involved in organised prostitution.

Gardaí have recorded sharp rises in sexual offences, property crimes, and crimes against the person in the year ending last November.

Reported crimes have risen significantly so far this year, with increases in property crimes, crimes against the person, and sexual offences, Garda figures show.

The Policing Authority delivered a blow to Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan yesterday by turning down her request for the Garda Inspectorate to examine the breath test scandal.

Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan seems to have bought herself a stay of execution but confidence is not so high that the force can police itself, writes Cormac O’Keeffe.

Around a dozen senior appointments are to be made in the force before Christmas in a bid to fill vacancies that riddle the Garda top brass.

One hundred garda stations are to shut in the most radical restructuring of the force since the foundation of the State.

One hundred Garda stations across the country are to close next year.

Thirty-one Garda stations are to close, while a further 10 will operate on reduced opening hours, under cost-saving plans announced by Justice Minister Alan Shatter.

GARDAÍ across the country want armed officers on the street on a permanent basis to combat an “increase in armed violence”.

POOR practice within the social care system whereby foster carers were not vetted before children were placed with them is only the tip of the iceberg, it has been warned.

GARDA Commissioner Fachtna Murphy has announced a series of appointments at senior Garda management level.

GARDA files on the Sophie Toscan du Plantier murder are to be handed over to the French magistrate investigating the case, the Department of Justice has confirmed.

A garda has been arrested and is being questioned about an alleged sexual assault.

DRINK-DRIVING arrests in north and east Cork rose by 60% in the first four months of this year, and more than a quarter of those detained were foreign nationals.

GARDAÍ in the Southern Region - which takes in Cork, Limerick, Kerry and Tipperary - have been joined by specialist recruits.

RURAL counties have recorded the biggest increase in reported serious crime, including sexual offences and assaults.