Up to 250 tourists, mostly Europeans, were mugged in Ireland in 2006, figures showed today.
The Irish Tourist Assistance Service (ITAS), which helps visitors who are victims of crime, said the second-biggest category was theft from cars, usually hired vehicles.
In 2006, ITAS was referred 315 cases by gardaí, hotels and embassies, and assisted 504 tourists.
The biggest crime was theft from person at 49 per cent followed by theft from cars at 26 cases, which is slightly higher than last year's figure of 23 cases.
Dublin Garda Stations referred about 75 per cent of cases to ITAS followed by officers in Cos Wicklow, Galway, Cork and Louth. Embassies, hotels and banks also passed on details of incidents.
There were 14 cases of violent crimes against tourists in 2006 compared with 11 cases in 2005. These included five robberies with violence, six assaults, two aggravated thefts and one stabbing.
A total of 86 of the four million British nationals who visited Ireland in 2006 were the most-targeted for overall crimes at 17 per cent.
The Britons were followed closely by 76 Italians (15 per cent); 50 Americans (10 per cent); 45 French (9 per cent), 40 Germans (8 per cent) and 37 Spanish (7 per cent).
The statistics were released today as Sports Minister John O'Donoghue launched a new ITAS DVD which highlights the services available for tourists who become victims of crime in Ireland.
However ITAS stressed that Ireland is one of the safest countries in the world for tourists.
ITAS chairman Joe Browne called on the tourist industry to help distribute the DVD so that tourists who are victims of crime can receive the best possible care and assistance.
Over 7.7 million tourists visited Ireland in 2006 — while 315 incidents involving 504 tourists were referred to ITAS.
PA