Number of rapes and sexual assaults fall

THE number of rapes and sexual assaults reported to gardaí plummeted in the first three months of this year, according to the latest crime figures published yesterday.

Overall reported crime dropped by over 10% in the first quarter of the year, compared with the same period in 2004.

Justice Minister Michael McDowell, announcing the figures, welcomed the drop and claimed it confirms the Government is successfully tackling crime. He also praised the gardaí.