Burglary and theft offenses have risen sharply across Ireland, according to new figures released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
Burglary incidents increased by 10% in the year to September 2024, with 878 additional cases compared to the previous 12-month period. The south of Ireland experienced the most dramatic rise with a 23% increase, while Dublin saw a more modest 5% growth.
Overall theft offenses jumped by more than 7%, with an additional 5,331 incidents recorded nationwide. A total of 77,260 thefts were reported during the year – averaging over 211 incidents daily. Shoplifting saw a particularly significant increase, with over 3,000 additional offenses compared to the previous year. Thefts from vehicles and individuals also rose.
According to The Journal, other crime categories showing increases included kidnapping (+16%), weapons and explosives offenses (+11%), and public order offenses (+3%).
However, some categories saw decreases, including a 10% reduction in homicides (down to 75), slight declines in robbery and sexual offenses, and 261 fewer drink-driving cases. The most notable decrease was in controlled drug offenses, which fell by 6% to their lowest level in five years.
Assault cases increased by 3%, with 6,082 victims recorded. Nearly 60% of assault victims were male, with the over-60 age group experiencing the largest increase (+13%) among men, while the 18-29 age bracket saw the most significant rise among female victims.