FG blames McDowell for rising rate of serious crime

Fine Gael is blaming the increase in serious crime so far this year on Minister for Justice Michael McDowell.

Figures from the Central Statistics Office today show that "headline" crimes were up by just over 3% in the first nine months of this year.

Fine Gael justice spokesman Jim O'Keeffe says the figures are a further sign that Mr McDowell's tenure had been a "total failure".

Mr O'Keefe said crime had increased by more than 42% in the past six years, particularly drug-related offences, murders and homicides.