Minister concerned by 13% rise in sex offences

Sex offences rose by 13% in the year to the end of June, according to latest figures from the CSO which showed falls in a number of other crime categories.

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald said she was concerned by the rise in sex crime outlined and in the 4% increase in assault and related offences in the same period.

Ms Fitzgerald praised Garda efforts at cutting crime in other areas, citing figures which showed that the number of burglaries fell 26.3% in the 12 months to the end of June, with robbery down 11.1% and theft down 12.3% in the same period.