Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 692: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the crime statistics for the towns of Cashel, Cahir, Clonmel, Fethard, Carrick-on-Suir and Tipperary for each of the years 2004 and 2005. [10884/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table shows the number of headline offences by group recorded and detected in the Garda districts of Cahir, Clonmel and Tipperary town for the years 2004 and 2005. I understand that Cashel is included in the Cahir Garda district, and that Fethard and Carrick-on-Suir are included in the Clonmel Garda district.

It should be borne in mind that any interpretation of the crime figures should factor in the increase in our population in the past ten years. In 1995, with a population of almost 3.6 million people, there were 29 crimes per 1,000 of the population. In 2005, with a population of over 4.1 million, there were 24.6 crimes per 1,000 of the population, a reduction of 4.4 crimes per 1,000 of the population.

It is important to note that offences in the homicide group are wider than the offences of murder and manslaughter. The homicide group of headline offences also includes the offences of attempted murder, murder threats, infanticide, abortion and procuring or assisting in an abortion.

I am pleased to see that the Garda policing plan 2006, under the heading, Policy Reviews 2006, includes a commitment to assessing causes of the rise in crimes of burglary in 2005. This work has commenced with a view to reversing the current upward trend and identifying strategies to target this significant issue. It is intended to mount special operations in particular problem areas.