Statement by Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy on Monday the 28/01/08.
Speaking following the publication of the Annual Crime Statistics for 2007, Commissioner Fachtna Murphy resolved to address the slight increase in overall crime apparent from last year’s figures.
"When I was appointed Commissioner last November I pledged to ensure that people would feel safe on our streets and in our homes. By working with the community and using information which comes from the community, we will target criminals in well-resourced, intelligence-led operations and work to bring them before the courts."
Referring to the increase in homicides in 2007 the Commissioner said:
"There is some cause for concern here and we have already started to analyse these figures to enable us to identify and address emerging challenges in the murder rate. While gun related and so-called gangland murders are down on previous years, we are experiencing an increase in the use of sharp objects including knives – accounting for nearly half of all murders. A high percentage of murders are occurring in private locations and this poses a particular challenge for the gardaí and indeed the community as a whole. We will be working with other agencies to assess whether there are wider underlying issues which require something more than a policing response."
The Commissioner said that the increases right across the range of drug offences illustrate the high levels of garda activity which are focused on this problem.
"I am determined to target the supply side of the illicit drugs trade. We will continue to adopt a co-ordinated and determined multi-agency approach working closely with our colleagues in Customs to make our communities safer."
The Commissioner also highlighted the decreases in the rate of crimes such as burglary and theft from the person.
"We have seen significant decreases in the crimes which affect the community in a real and tangible way. Burglaries are down 5.5% and theft from the person is down 18%. However, thefts from vehicles are up which highlights a need for an increased focus on crime prevention messages and targeted patrols.
Throughout 2008 we will continue to dedicate resources to ensuring that these types of decreases are reflected across other crime categories. We will work with other agencies and, most importantly, with the community to secure the safety of our homes, streets and townlands."
Garda Press Office,
28/1/08
