In Ireland, the landscape of criminal offences has evolved over the years, with certain categories emerging as more prevalent in terms of arrests.

Recent data indicates that drug-related offences have become the most common reason for arrests in the country. The largest rates of increase were in Homicide & Related offences (+28%) and Robbery, Extortion & Hijacking offences (+20%).

Rise in Drug-Related Arrests

Over the past decade, there has been a significant increase in arrests for drug offences. In 2014, there were 19,357 arrests related to narcotics. This number rose to 29,800 in 2023, marking an increase of over 10,000 arrests within ten years. The peak occurred in 2020, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, with 36,099 arrests recorded that year. As of July 11, 2024, there have been 14,203 drug-related arrests.

Geographical Distribution

The distribution of these arrests varies across regions. In 2023, the Dublin region reported the highest number of drug-related arrests at 12,874. In contrast, the Sligo/Leitrim area had the lowest, with 233 arrests, followed by Mayo/Roscommon/Longford at 437 arrests.

Government Response

In response to the rising trend in drug-related offences, the Irish government has invested significantly in law enforcement and targeted operations. Operation Tara, for instance, is a dedicated initiative aimed at disrupting the sale and supply of illegal drugs. Justice Minister Helen McEntee has emphasized the government’s commitment to limiting access to illegal drugs and tackling this issue through direct actions.

Broader Crime Trends

While drug offences have seen a notable increase, other crime categories have also experienced changes. According to the Central Statistics Office (CSO), most categories of recorded crime incidents increased in the year to Q1 2023.

The largest rates of increase were in Homicide & Related offences (+28%) and Robbery, Extortion & Hijacking offences (+20%). Sexual offences increased by 2% to 3,660 incidents over the same period.