13,000 tourists were victims of crime in Ireland over last 20 years

Almost 13,000 tourists have received assistance in Ireland after being affected by crime during their visits here over the last 20 years.

The Irish Tourist Assistance Service (ITAS) said the tourists had been the victims of more than 7,500 crimes.

It said theft was the main offence — accounting for about half of all crimes — and one that continued to grow in 2013.