Murders have doubled - but is Ireland really more dangerous?

We look behind new CSO crime statistics

Listen | 23:25
The CSO crime trends, based on crime data supplied by the Garda, covers the 12 months to June 2023. Photograph: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin
The CSO crime trends, based on crime data supplied by the Garda, covers the 12 months to June 2023. Photograph: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin

New Central Statistic Office figures released this week show that the number of murders in the State has almost doubled in a 12-month period, while thefts and robbery-related crimes have also surged. Shoplifting has become a major issue for retailers.

So is Ireland becoming more dangerous? It’s not that simple, says Crime and Security Editor Conor Lally, who has sifted through the CSO report.

On today’s In the News podcast he discusses what it all means, why some figures in the report seem low and why it’s important we know and understand our crime statistics.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon.

Bernice Harrison

Bernice Harrison

Bernice Harrison is an Irish Times journalist and cohost of In the News podcast