Headline crime figures up by just over 3%
The number of "headline" crimes recorded in Ireland increased by 3.1% in the first nine months of this year, according to new figures from the Central Statistics Office.
The increase is due to a significant rise of more than 10% during the first quarter of the year.
The CSO says slight decreases were recorded in the second and third quarters, compared to the same periods in 2005.
So far this year, 44 people have been murdered, an increase of almost 16% over the first nine months of last year.
However, the number of manslaughters is down from six to two over the same period.
Most categories of sexual offences also show a decrease, but aggravated sexual assaults are up a massive 83% from six to 11.
Elsewhere, robberies of cash and goods in transit are down 33%, while the offences of possessing and discharging a firearm are down by 11% and 3% respectively.
