Government’s crime record is a calamity, says Fine Gael

THE Government’s record on tackling crime is nothing short of calamity, Fine Gael claimed last night following publication of the Garda Síochána Annual Report for 2005.

The report, released yesterday, revealed there was a substantial increase in non-headline (or minor) crime during 2005, up 12% compared to 2004.

Opposition party spokespersons last night claimed that this increase, allied to a 2% increase in headline crime, exposed weakness in the crime policies of the Government and particularly of Justice Minister Michael McDowell.