500 tourists fall victim to crime

ALMOST 500 tourists here became victims to crime last year.

However, violent crimes against tourists fell dramatically - from 36 in 2004 to 11 last year, according to the Irish Tourist Assistance Service (ITAS).

During the year 476 tourists fell victim to various types of crimes - with theft accounting for 60% of these.

French tourists (61) headed the victim list, followed by 58 Americans and 56 people from Britain.

Some 44 Spaniards, 41 Italians and 35 Germans were affected.

The number of thefts reported from cars was down from 52 in 2004 to 23 last year.

The vast majority of these thefts related to hired cars.

Dublin garda stations referred two-thirds of the cases to the ITAS, which offers a comprehensive service in the aftermath of crime.

Now in its 12th year, the ITAS has its Dublin offices in the Garda Harcourt Square complex.

Here, chief executive officer Lisa Kennedy said problems facing the tourist can be addressed with minimal difficulty and financial burden.

Ms Kennedy reported yesterday that 80% of victimised tourists continued with their holiday in 2005 after ITAS intervention.

Tourism Minister John O’Donoghue, who officially launched ITAS’s new name (changed from Tourist Victim Support Service), said: “Being a victim of crime at any time is traumatic but being victimised while in a foreign country can be even more traumatic especially if there are language, cultural or legal difficulties.

“The valuable assistance ITAS provides to victims and their families is to be commended. The excellent work is evident in that a large majority of tourists seen by the service continue with their holidays and go home with an overall positive image of Ireland, which from a tourism point of view is extremely important.”

He said tourist numbers hit record figures last year - just short of seven million.

“People increasingly choose destinations that are welcome and safe. In international terms, Ireland is a very safe destination,” said Mr O’Donoghue.

“But, like any country, things can sometimes go wrong and if they do it is up to the industry to try to make it right.”