Rise in tourists seeking help after a crime

The organisation that supports tourists who get into difficulty, including falling victim to crime, says it has had an increase in the number of cases it has dealt with this year compared with last.

The Irish Tourists Assistance Service (ITAS) said so far this year it has dealt with 291 cases involving 544 tourists, compared with 278 cases to the same date last year.

With the summer months prompting a spike in demand for its services, ITAS said 79% of all cases it has dealt with this year occurred in Dublin — contrasting with the 11 cases in Co Wicklow in which it offered assistance, eight in Galway, six in Louth and five in Cork.