One-fifth of serious drug offences carried out while on bail

NEARLY a fifth of serious drug offences last year were committed by people out on bail for other crimes, according to new figures.

Department of Justice statistics show a 5% rise in the number of serious crimes carried out by people on bail from 5,306 in 2004 to 5,456 last year.

Justice Minister Michael McDowell described the figure as "disturbing" and said he had requested a detailed report "as a matter of urgency" from the gardaí.