Alcohol-related crimes rise 30% in four years

There was a 30% increase in the number of alcohol-related crimes between 2003 and 2007.

A new report from the Health Research Board shows the typical offender was a young man aged 24 or under and minors accounted for 17% of offenders.

Over half of the offences were committed at the weekend between midnight and 4am.

The number of crimes blamed on alcohol increased by more than 15,000 between 2003 and 2007 to well in excess of 66,000.

The report also shows a peak in the number of the incidents around St Partrick's Day, Halloween, Christmas, the New Year and in mid-September when Junior Cert results are released.

The study also found that during the four years surveyed drink-driving offences increased by 74%.