Crime statistics - Words just not enough, minister

Announcing priorities for the gardaí next year would seem rather pointless on the part of Justice Minister Michael McDowell when public fears across the entire spectrum of law and order badly need to be allayed.

The minister’s claim that this country has a very low crime rate compared with other countries in western Europe is a very subjective opinion and relative to those others with which he chooses to compare Ireland.

However he may endeavour to reassure people about the comparative lawfulness of this country, the public perception is that there is good reason to be concerned with the level of crime here.