Department of Justice reports fall in serious crime
New crime figures released by the Department of Justice show that incidents of serious crime fell last year.
The provisional figures came from the Garda Commissioner, and show a fall of 2% in headline crime rates in 2003.
There were six fewer murders, a drop of 12%, and many of the 46 that did occur were vicious drug related gang murders.
The figures show a drop in the number of rape cases and decreases in levels of sexual assaults.
There were over one thousand less assaults causing harm last year, a drop of 21%.
The Minister for Justice Michael McDowell says the reduction in violence and public order offences follow changes to the Criminal Justice and Liquor laws during last year.
However, burglary levels are up as are robbery from the person. A significant number in this category relate to the theft of mobile phones.
