Reports of sexual offences increased in first half of year

An Garda Síochána regularly publishes data on recorded reports of crime. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

The number of sexual offences reported to gardaí has increased in the first six months of the year when compared with the same period in 2024, Garda statistics show.

Reports of rape are up 4% while sexual assault reports are up 7%.

Meanwhile, reports of child sexual abuse material and related offences are down 16% in the first half of 2025 compared with 2024.

The figures are included in the provisional crime statistics for the first half of the year, which were published on Monday.

In the six months up to June 30, An Garda Síochána made more than 37,000 arrests, created more than 67,000 criminal charges, and issued nearly 100,000 summonses.

While criminal damage incidents excluding arson were down by 14%, reports specifically about arson increased 20%.

Public order offences were up by 8%.

Gardaí said fewer demonstrations were recorded in the first half of 2025 – 627 compared with 683 in the same period in 2024 – but trends show the volume of such gatherings is increasing again.

There was a slight rise in the number of people reported with possession of an offensive weapon (up 2%) and a 39% increase in reports of a discharge of a firearm, although this represents an overall increase of less than 20 incidents in the period.

Possession of drugs for sale or supply was up 10%.

Reports of fraud and economic crime continue to increase, up 73% compared with the first half of 2024.

Increases have been recorded in forgery (200%), deception (178%), shopping and online auction fraud (166%), money laundering (82%), bogus tradesman reports (57%), accommodation fraud (22%) and account takeover fraud (18%).

There was an 88% reduction in counterfeit notes, while insurance fraud was down by 45%.

There have been 105 fatalities in traffic collisions as of Friday, August 15 this year – down six on the same date in 2024.

In the first six months of the year, there was an 8% increase in arrests for intoxicated driving and a significant increase in penalty points issued for a range of offences, including using mobile phones while driving, not wearing a seatbelt, and dangerous driving.

An Garda Síochána said long-term trends “continue to demonstrate an ongoing and sustained reduction in recorded crime”.

The level of property crime has decreased across all crime types in H1 2025 compared with H1 2024, while overall crimes against the person also saw a slight decrease.

Theft and robbery directly from a person was down 24% while robbery from businesses decreased by 23%. Non-aggravated residential burglary was also down 13%.

Offences of affray, riot, and violent Disorder were down by 36%, the statistics show.