THE NUMBER of sex offences and burglaries being reported to Gardaí in Limerick has gone up, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO)
The statistics reveal that rates of rape and sexual assault increased from 119 in 2017 to 128 last year in the Limerick Garda Division.
Burglaries went up from 473 to 512 in the same period.
Commenting on the data, Fianna Fáil TD for Limerick City, Willie O’Dea TD said, “These latest statistics reiterate what people are telling me on the ground for quite some time now.
“Very few of the types of crimes in the Limerick Garda Division analysed by the Central Statistics Office have decreased in rate. Most worrying of these details is that incidents of sexual assault and burglary have all increased year on year.
“The Government’s ongoing failure to adequately respond to these trends in criminal behaviour only stands to contribute to a greater sense of lawlessness in Ireland. Without more Gardaí protecting our streets, the distrust and disillusionment in communities will continue.
“Gardaí stationed in Limerick, where crime has risen, are up against it without proper resources. They are battling to safeguard our streets and prevent crime.
The former Defence Minister said the response to such crimes should include deterrents against reoffending such as tougher bail laws and electronic monitoring.
