Public order convictions fall 50% in three years

CONVICTIONS for public order offences and assaults have fallen by almost 50% in the past three years, according to figures from the Department of Justice.

Only 13,418 people were convicted for public order and assault offences last year, compared with 20,934 in 2003 and 25,538 in 2002.

Public order offence proceedings were started against 53,488 individuals in 2003 but nearly 6,000 of these were dismissed or withdrawn, according to garda figures. There were 12,587 arrests for serious and minor assault in the same period.