Drink-driving arrests in Dublin City have increased by 67% due to intensified garda surveillance and enforcement, according to a new policing report.
The garda figures covering March 22 to September 22, 2025, show significant increases across multiple crime categories. Public order offences rose by 18%, drug dealing by 3% and drug possession by 30%.
Assistant Commissioner Cliona Richardson said measures introduced under the Dublin City High Visibility Policing Plan, including the establishment of pop-up garda clinics in Dublin’s Docklands, have helped catch more offenders. These clinics provide easier public access for contacting gardaí.
Richardson emphasized that the first six months of data demonstrate that increased police surveillance has had a significant impact on detection rates.
The report shows other notable increases during the six-month period: robbery from persons up 30%, theft from persons up 28%, robbery from establishments up 9%, begging up 57%, petty violence up 4% and assault causing injury up 17%.
Over 3,750 arrests were made and more than 8,000 charges or summonses issued during this period.
Gardaí stressed that the rising numbers do not necessarily indicate an increase in crime itself, but rather reflect improved detection rates due to enhanced surveillance and policing presence. The High Visibility Policing Plan was designed to increase garda presence in key areas and deter criminal activity through more visible patrols and proactive enforcement.
The figures suggest that while the policing strategy is successfully identifying and apprehending offenders, challenges remain in addressing the underlying issues driving crime, particularly alcohol and drug-related offences, in Dublin city centre.