Meath records 23 per cent increase in public order offences - CSO
Latest crime figures have revealed a massive 23 per cent increase in the number of public order offences recorded in Meath in a year.
Figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that 576 public order offences were recorded up to the end of September 2024, compared with 468 for the same period a year earlier.
Crime figures also show the number of burglaries in Meath are continuing to rise with a ten per cent increase recorded over the past year
There were 404 burglary and related offences recorded in the year up to the end of September 2024, compared to 369 in the previous year- a sharp increase of 9.5 per cent. The increase is broadly in line with national figures where a ten per cent rise was also recorded.
There was a seven per cent increase in theft and related offences with 2,492 reported in the year up to the end of September compared with 2,331 the previous year, again this reflects the national picture where a seven per cent increase was also noted.
Drugs offence rose by three percent in the year from 416 to 429.
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The number of homicides fell from four in the year up to the end of September 2023, to one up to the end of the third quarter of 2024.
There was a nine per cent decrease in sexual offences from 109 to 99 during the same period.
Drink driving detections fell from 190 to 183, while driving while under the influence of drugs rose from 16 to 24.
Meanwhile, a protest held in Ballivor following a spate of burglaries in the south of the county in recent weeks was raised by Cllr Dave Boyne at the March meeting of Meath County Council where he called for the Minister for Justice and Garda Commissioner to attend the next full council meeting to answer questions. He highlighted how Meath has the least number of gardaí per head of population in the country.
Speaking afterwards, Cllr Boyne said: “Criminals are going completely unchallenged in South Meath, treating our homes and businesses like their personal playground. It's like a real-life game of Grand Theft Auto.”
The protest held in Ballivor on 1st March was to voice residents' concerns and to raise support for re-opening Ballivor Garda Station.
“It is the duty of the government to provide security to their citizens.
They are not doing this. Key to this is the dire pay and conditions the Gardai are forced to accept, and the utter farce that is our justice system. Ultimately, the government are not doing their job. I really hope Minister O'Callaghan and Commissioner Harris attend Meath County Council’s next meeting to provide answers”.