Victimisation Rate and Fear of Local Crime Fall to Lowest Levels Since Q1 2015 –Garda Public Attitudes Survey

– 4.5% victimisation rate – the lowest since Q1 2015
– 16% believe local crime is a serious or very serious problem – the lowest since Q1 2015
– 80% of people satisfied with Garda service to their local community 
– The public’s trust in An Garda Síochána remains high at 89%.
– The number of victims reporting their crime to Gardaí stood at 89%, the highest since Q4 2016.

The number of people who said they were a victim of crime has fallen to its lowest level since Q1 2015, according to the latest Garda Public Attitudes Survey.

The Q4 2018 Garda Public Attitudes Survey has found the victimisation rate was 4.5%. This is the lowest quarterly victimisation rate since the survey was re-launched.

In addition, 16% of respondents to the Q4 survey considered crime in their local area to be a very serious or serious problem, the lowest level since Q1 2015. Nearly three-quarters (74%) of respondents perceive national crime to be a very serious or serious problem. This divergent perception of the seriousness of local and national crime has been a result across multiple quarterly public attitudes surveys.

The vast majority of people – 63% – say that fear of crime has no impact on their quality of life, an increase of 3% between the last two survey sweeps.

The number of people reporting their crime to Gardaí stood at 89%, the highest since Q4 2016.

Eight in ten respondents interviewed between October and December 2018 were satisfied with the service provided by An Garda Síochána to local communities.

During Q4 2018, satisfaction among victims of crime who reported their crime to Gardaí stood at 59%, an increase of 4% when compared to the same quarter of 2017. Half of victims interviewed felt the right amount of information had been provided to them.

The public’s trust in the organisation remains very high at 89%.

While the vast majority of respondents believe Gardaí would treat you with respect if you had contact with them for any reason, there has been a decrease in the perception that the organisation treats everyone fairly, regardless of who they are, over recent survey sweeps.

The Q4 survey also found that 70% of survey respondents agreed that Gardaí in their area can be relied upon to be there when you need them, this has decreased 6% since Q3 2018. While 80% agreed that the Gardaí in this area listen to the concerns of local people.

Over one third of respondents (36%) agreed that community relations with the police were poor, while 40% agreed that the Gardaí are not dealing with things that matter to people in the local community.

During Q4 2018 the majority of respondents had positive views about the capability of An Garda Síochána to be friendly and helpful (93%), community focused (71%), modern or progressive (66%), effective in tackling crime (66%) and well managed (51%). Over 40% (43%) said the organisation provides a world class police service.

Commenting on the survey results, Deputy Commissioner Policing & Security, John Twomey, said: “The falls in the victimisation rate and concern about crime locally are very welcome. As is the continuing high satisfaction with the service we provide locally and overall trust in the organisation. This is a tribute to the great work of our people throughout the country. We increased the number of Guards on the front-line in 2018 to enhance visibility in communities. This will be a key focus again in 2019 as will delivering policing services in line with the individual needs of communities.”

The main findings of An Garda Síochána’s Public Attitudes Survey for Q4 2018

Perceptions of Crime
– 74% of people perceived national crime to be either a very serious or serious problem, compared to 16% of respondents who considered crime in their local area to be a very serious or serious problem.

Victims of Crime 
– The victimisation rate was 4.5%. This compares with a rate of 6.2% for the same quarter last year.
– Satisfaction among victims of crime who reported their crime to An Garda Síochána stood at 59%, an increase of 4% from the same period last year.
– 89% of victims interviewed said they had reported their most recent crime incident.
– 50% of victims felt the right amount of information had been provided to them.

Fear and Worry about Crime 
– More than one in three respondents (31%) reported that they had no fear about crime in general, down from 40% during Q4 2017.
– 63% of people reported that their fear of crime had no impact on their quality of life – down from 68% in Q4 2017. 
– Over half (52%) of respondents said they did not worry about becoming a victim of crime whether that is of a crime involving personal injury, property theft or damage, or indeed both – this has trended upwards over recent survey sweeps.

Garda Visibility 
– 38% of respondents were aware of Garda patrols in their local area.
– 39% of respondents considered Garda presence in their local area to be at about the right level.

Satisfaction with An Garda Síochána
– 80% of respondents (76% when don’t knows are included) said they were either very satisfied or satisfied with the service provided by An Garda Síochána to local communities.
– 70% agreed that Gardaí in this area can be relied upon to be there when you need them and 80% agreed that the Gardaí in this area listen to the concerns of local people.
– Approximately 1 in 3 (36%) believed that community relations with police are poor and 40% agreed that police are not dealing with the things that matter to people in this community.

Trust in An Garda Síochána 
– 89% of respondents stated they had a mid to high level of trust in An Garda Síochána.

Equality of treatment 
– 93% of respondents said they felt members of An Garda Síochána would treat them with respect if they had contact with them for any reason. 
– When asked if Gardaí in their area treat everyone fairly regardless of who they are, 77% of people agreed. This drops to 62% when don’t know responses are included. This has decreased each quarter since Q4 2017.

Perceptions of the Garda Organisation 
– 93% of respondents agreed that members of An Garda Síochána were friendly or helpful (+2% from Q4 2017), 71% agreed that the organisation was community focused (no change from Q4 2017), 66% thought the organisation was modern or progressive (+2% from Q4 2017), 66% said it was effective in tackling crime (+4% from Q4 2017), 51% said it was well managed (+6% from Q4 2017), and 43% thought An Garda Síochána provides a world-class police service (no change from Q4 2017).

The Garda Public Attitudes Survey, which is conducted by Amárach Research on behalf of An Garda Síochána, asks a nationally representative sample of 1,500 people each quarter their views on a range of issues relating to An Garda Síochána. The Q4 2018 survey was conducted between October and December of 2018.

A 42-year-old man arrested as part of this investigation has been released without charge. A file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Original Story:

The Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) conducted a search operation in County Limerick this morning, Tuesday 12th February, 2019.

Six (6) searches in total were carried out, five (5) at residential premises and one (1) professional premises. All searches were conducted under CAB Warrants, Section 14 of the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996, as amended.

The following was seized:
151 Audi A6
151 VW 
131 Range Rover Sport
Harley Davidson Motorcycle

(Documentation in relation to the ownership of assets, financial documentation, mobile phones and electronic storage devices were seized and are currently being examined by Bureau Officers. These include laptop computers, mobile phone with evidence of drug dealing, tick list and weighing scales).

In addition a quantity of suspected cocaine valued at approximately €20,000 was seized (subject to analysis). A 42 year old man has been arrested and is being detained under the provisions of Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 as amended at Henry Street Garda Station.

The CAB investigation centres on an individual member of an Organised Crime Gang involved in the sale and supply of controlled drugs in the Limerick City and County area.

This morning’s search operation is a significant development in the CAB investigation.

On the 12th February 2008, Andrew Burns (aged 27 at the time of his death) was murdered at Donnyloop, Castlefin, Co. Donegal by persons linked to violent Dissident Republican activity.

Between 7.05pm and 7.15pm on the 12/2/2008, Andrew Burns received gunshot wounds and was found on a roadway close to Donnyloop Church.  He was pronounced dead at 7.58pm on 12/2/2008.

One person has been convicted of this murder and a number of persons have been arrested in connection with the investigation. An Garda Síochána believe that a number of people were involved in the murder.

An Garda Síochána are very grateful for all the witnesses that have come forward and made statements however An Garda Síochána urge anyone with any information to come forward, the investigation is open and it is never too late to come forward. 

Any information received by An Garda Síochána will be treated in the strictest confidence. Please contact the Incident Room at Letterkenny Garda Station on 0035374 91 67100/0035374 91 67170, any Garda Station or use the Garda Confidential Telephone Line 1800 666 111.

A 32-year-old man has died following an alleged assault incident at the Square Killorglin in the early hours on Sunday morning (10/2/2019). He was pronounced dead at University Hospital Kerry earlier today (11/2/2019).

The local Coroner and office of the State Pathologist have been notified. A post-mortem examination is expected to be carried out tomorrow. Investigating Gardaí say the results of the post-mortem will determine the course of their investigation and are renewing their appealing for witnesses.

Gardaí are particularly appealing to those who were in the vicinity of the The Square, Killorglin in the early hours of Sunday morning to contact them. Anyone with information is asked to contact Killarney Garda station on (064) 6671160, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

Original Story:

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses following an alleged assault that occurred in the early hours of this morning Sunday 10th February, 2019 on The Square, Killorglin, Kerry at approximately 2.20a.m. A man in his early 30s was seriously assaulted during an incident. The man was removed to University Hospital Kerry and his condition is described as critical.

Gardaí are appealing for anyone with information or anyone who was in The Square, Killorglin in the early hours of this morning and who can assist Gardaí in this investigation to contact them at Killarney Garda station on (064) 6671160, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

Gardai wish to seek the public’s assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 41 year old Jon Jonsson.

Jon, who is from Iceland, was last seen in Whitehall at approximately 11am on the 9/02/19. He is described as being 6’ 3’’ tall, of medium build, with short brown hair. When last seen he was wearing a black padded jacket.

Anyone who has seen Jon or who can assist in locating him is asked to contact Ballymun Garda Station on 01 6664400, The Garda Confidential Telephone Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

Gardaí have recovered four stolen limestone statues which were stolen in Charleville in 2011.

On the 18th July 2011 four large limestone statues were stolen from Milltown Castle in Charleville, Co. Cork. Two were statues of eagles which has been mounted on 10ft high pillars and the others were life size busts of William of Orange and Oliver Cromwell.

The theft generated a lot of media interest at the time and an extensive garda investigation was carried out but the property was never found.

Earlier this week a member of the public found four stone statues near a derelict outhouse on lands near Cratloe, Co. Clare. The Gardaí were contacted and a local Garda remembered the original theft and connected the discovery of the property with the theft. On the 8th of February 2019 Gardaí recovered the property.

Gardaí are appealing for anyone with information about the theft or who has information about how the property ended up on lands in Co. Clare should contact Mallow Garda Station on 022 31450.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses following an alleged assault that occurred in the early hours of this morning Sunday 10th February, 2019 on The Square, Killorglin, Kerry at approximately 2.20a.m.

A man in his early 30s was seriously assaulted during an incident. The man was removed to University Hospital Kerry and his condition is described as critical.

Gardaí are appealing for anyone with information or anyone who was in The Square, Killorglin in the early hours of this morning and who can assist Gardaí in this investigation to contact them at Killarney Garda station on (064) 6671160, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

On 9th February 2012 Andrew Allen was murdered in his home at 26 Links View Park, Buncrana, Co Donegal in front of his partner. 

Those responsible travelled to Buncrana from Derry City that evening. If you have any information in relation to the killers, Gardaí are asking you to do the right thing and come forward to assist in securing justice for Andrew. 

Many people have been arrested and questioned over the past seven years and An Garda Siochana are grateful for all those who have assisted the investigation. 

 If you have any information and have yet to come forward don’t delay any longer, please contact the incident room at Buncrana on 074 93 20540 or use the Confidential line 1800 666 111.

Gardaí at Kilmallock, Co. Limerick are investigating a single vehicle fatal road traffic collision which occurred at 3.30pm, Friday 8th February, 2019 at Upper Sunville, Ardpatrick, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick. 
 
A female driver (late 60s) was fatally injured when the car she was driving veered off the road and mounted a ditch.  The two female passengers (16 years and 7 years) received minor injuries and were taken to University Hospital Limerick for examination.  The body of the deceased has been removed from the scene to the mortuary of University Hospital Limerick where a post mortem examination will take place.

The road was closed to facilitate a Garda forensic examination and is now reopened. 

Gardaí at Enniscorthy Co Wexford are investigating a two vehicle fatal road traffic collision which occurred at 7.25am, Friday 8^th February 2019 at Ballymackesy, Co Wexford (N30), approximately 4 miles from Enniscorthy.

A male driver (only occupant) in his 50s was fatally injured when his van was in collision with a truck. The male driver (only occupant) of the truck was uninjured. The deceased has been removed to University Hospital in Waterford where a post mortem examination will take place. The local Coroner has been notified.

Investigating Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to contact Enniscorthy Garda Station 053-9242580, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.