Crime same as in 1995, admits FG
But he stood over his contention that the crime problem was spiralling out of control notwithstanding the fact that the headline crimes were about 100,000 twelve years ago, the same as they are today.
When pressed that crime is where it was ten years ago, despite the increase in population, Mr O’Keeffe accepted it was true.
But he defended his interpretation on the basis that crime had fallen by 30% in the mid and late 1990s as a result of Rainbow Government policies and has since risen to 1995 rates.
He also said that the proportion of heinous crimes such as gangland crime, rapes, and firearm offices had gone up considerably.
“There’s a difference between the theft of a bicycle and the rape of a woman,” he said.
Mr O’Keeffe was presiding at a press conference in which he said FG would lead the fight against crime. He promised electronic tagging, that prisoners would have to gain remission and that criminals would find it harder to get bail.
Asked how much of a reduction in crime, people could expect under a Fine Gael government, he replied: “If I put a figure in front of you, it might come back to haunt me.”
He also accepted that boot camps wouldn’t be brought in countrywide as promised but would be piloted.
Mr O’Keeffe pointed out that his party wanted to put at least 2,000 extra gardaí on the streets through new recruiting and civilianisation.
Fine Gael has produced a series of get-tough proposals since Enda Kenny became leader.
The party has consistently claimed that there is a crime spiral. But Mr O’Keeffe’s admission yesterday changed the basis of its argument. He accepted the crime rate was the same as 12 years ago but is now arguing that it is serious crime that has risen.
“Armed robbery has risen by 71%, gun-related crime has increased by over 50%, there are 1,300 more burglaries per year,” he said.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
