Homicide numbers up due to dangerous driving

There has been an increase in recorded homicide offences in Ireland, according to the latest crime statistics from the CSO.

They reveal an increase of 1.5% in the homicide rate in the last 12 months, driven by a rise in dangerous driving leading to death. Overall, there were 48 murder and manslughter offences in Q2, and 20 dangerous driving offences which resulted in death.

Theft and related offences were also up slightly.

The Garda Commissioner welcomed the publication of the statistics, highlighting that crime has dropped in 12 of the 14 categories, including:

— weapons and explosives offences (-13.9%)

— controlled drug offences (-12.6%)

— attempts/threats to murder, assaults, harassments and related offences (-10%)

— fraud, deception and related offences (-10%)

— burglary/aggravated burglary (-9%)

— sexual offences (-7.9%)

"As a force, we can never over-emphasise the importance of the partnership between ourselves and the community in continuing to prevent and detect crime and maintaining a safe environment for everyone," the commisioner said.

The Minister for Justice also welcomed the statistics, and voiced concern about the increase in driving-related homicide offences.