The number of murder cases in the State increased by 35 per cent in the first six months of this year, compared to the first half of 2004, new figures show.
Figures released this evening by the Department of Justice show overall crime rates are down four per cent in the year to the end of June.
Minister for Justice Michael McDowell published the provisional crime statistics provided to him by the Garda Commissioner for the end of the second quarter of 2005 and said some of them gave "cause for concern".
The number of murders in the first six months of this year was 23, compared to 17 for the same period in 2004. Cases of manslaughter decreased by 50 per cent, with three such cases dealt with in the first six months.
The number of cases of sexual assault was down by 12 per cent compared to 2004. However, cases of unlawful carnal knowledge rose by 41 per cent.
There was a slight increase of 1 per cent in reported crime in the second quarter of this year, compared to the same quarter in 2004. However, crime was down by 3 per cent in the first half of 2005 and by 4 per cent in the 12 months to the end of June.
According to the figures, the crime of rape against a female was down by 26 per cent in the first six months of 2005. Robbery of cash and goods in transit was down by 39 per cent.
Instances of discharge of a firearm were down by 12 per cent, theft from the person was down by 25 per cent and robbery from the person showed a drop of 35 per cent, according to the report.
Mr McDowell said some of the figures "give rise to concern".
"In particular, the rate of violent deaths, which led to the establishment of Operation Anvil, is worrying. However, it is encouraging that the numbers of murders involving firearms has fallen significantly in recent times, with none since the end of May.
"I believe that Operation Anvil, introduced by the Garda Commissioner in May to fight the gun culture which was emerging in certain parts of Dublin and for which I made significant overtime resources available, has contributed to this welcome development," Mr McDowell said.
"I am pleased to note that there is a consistent decrease in the three sets of figures being released in the rate of robbery/goods in transit, resulting in a decrease of 40 per cent in the second quarter. I believe that this is due to focused policing by An Garda Síochána and an increased awareness by companies engaged in the transit of cash and goods of their responsibility to improve the security of consignments.
"The statistics show an increase in the incidence of possession of drugs for sale or supply. Since possession is an offence which in the vast majority of cases comes to attention only through policing work by an Garda Síochána, this increase results from good police work and shows that an increased volume of supplies are being intercepted."