Over 1,600 assaults carried out by individuals on bail in just three years

The data, supplied to Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy, shows that between 2022 and 2024, there were 1,689 incidents of assault causing harm perpetrated by someone who was on bail. Picture: Sam Boal

There were over 1,600 assaults carried out by individuals on bail in just three years, new data from the Department of Justice shows.

Between 2022 and 2024, there were 1,689 incidents of assault causing harm perpetrated by someone who was on bail.

In 2023 alone, gardaí recorded 608 assaults by such individuals.

Data from the department also shows there were 49 cases of sexual assault by a person out on bail over the three years. This was at its highest in 2022, where there were 20 cases recorded.

In addition, there were 2,312 cases over the period in question of those on bail being caught in possession of offensive weapons. This was at its highest in 2024, where 816 people were detected.

The data, supplied to Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy via parliamentary question, also shows there were 64 possession of a firearm cases where the person involved was out on bail.

The information also reveals there were 508 armed robberies of people involving those on bail between 2022 and 2024. This was highest in 2022, where 185 cases were recorded.

This was slightly more than the 466 armed robberies carried out on premises over the three years.

Mr Carthy, the Sinn Féin justice spokesperson, said he was alarmed by the figures provided by the Government.

“What we see from information I received this week is that there were a number of very serious crimes committed by those on bail including sexual assaults, robberies, possession of offensive weapons, and possessions of firearms,” Mr Carthy said.

If we are to deliver safer communities and reduce the level of crime, we cannot accept a situation where this level of crime, particularly very serious crimes, are being carried out by those on bail.

“Clearly, we also need more gardaí on our streets to prevent crime.” 

The Cavan-Monaghan TD said the Government must examine bail laws to “ensure that they are being appropriately applied where there is a risk of someone committing further crimes while on bail”.

Wider figures previously published by the Department of Justice showed there were a total of 40,348 crimes committed by people on bail in 2024.

At the time, justice minister Jim O’Callaghan described the figures as “extremely high”, but said that 20%, or approximately 8,000, were for theft from shops.

There were 5,000 in respect of individuals breaking their bail conditions, while a further 5,000 were for public order offences last year.