Number of burglary victims spirals to 27,600

The number of burglaries has soared over the past year with more than 27,600 victims of the crime, figures show.

Fraud and deception also rose in the 12 months to the end of June, with 5,578 allegations reported to gardaí.

The amount of sexual offences being investigated remains high due to an ongoing review of historic allegations of abuse.

Justice Minister Alan Shatter welcomed decreases in 11 of the 14 crime groups released by the Central Statistics Office, but stressed that concerns about crime are real and the impact on victims appalling.

“There have been some shocking incidents of serious criminality in the past week, including murders, which have the full and determined attention of An Garda Síochána,” he said. “Like An Garda Síochána, I am determined that those responsible be brought to justice.

“Notwithstanding the positive messages from today’s latest 12 months’ crime figures, it remains imperative that we confront and disrupt violent and gang crime in all its forms and the Gardaí have the full support of the Government in this.”

Six people died violently across Ireland in the last week, including mother of two Anna Finnegan who was stabbed to death, Sligo pensioner Eugene Gillespie who was beaten and left to die in his home, Cork council worker Pat Deasy who was the victim of a serious assault, and three men who were gunned down in separate gangland killings.

Figures showed most types of crime fell over the year.

Murders, manslaughter and deaths by dangerous driving were down by 19 to 62, but the CSO warned the number could rise when investigations into all road collisions are concluded.

Almost 2,000 sexual offences were recorded — a slight fall from 2011 — while harassment or attempts and threats to murder dropped.

Robbery, extortion and hijackings fell by 4.7%, but raids on institutions and cash-in-transit vans rose.

There were also eight more cases involving kidnapping and abduction.

Some 3,290 weapons and explosives offences were recorded — a 15% decrease — and the numbers of drug offences, damage to property, public order and offences against the State all fell.

Dangerous acts, such as drink-driving, fell by nearly 10%, but eight more people were accused of causing a false alarm or interfering with an aircraft or airport.

Theft from a person jumped by 43% to 4,284, and burglaries and related offences rose by 10% with 28,623 recorded.

More than 11,000 of those were committed in the Dublin region.

Mr Shatter said the growth in burglaries, albeit at a lower rate, continues to be a concern for him and Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan.

“The fact that the figures for burglary in the second quarter of this year are down by approximately 2,000 is encouraging and I have no doubt this is a direct result of the impact of Operation Fiacla,” he said.