The latest Garda crime data has revealed that the number of reported sex offences has decreased this year in Donegal.
However, drink driving offences have almost doubled and burglary offences have increased by 33%.
Gardaí in Donegal dealt with 2,387 offences in the first three months of 2019. This represents a rise of 345 crimes, compared to the same period in 2018 when 2042 offences were recorded.
The crime stats, released under reservation by the CSO today, reveal that 30 sexual offences were recorded in Donegal between January and March 2019. Twenty five of those crimes were related to rape and sexual assault. The figure is down from 41 sexual offences at the same time in 2018.
Ninety-three cases of drink driving were recorded, up from 64. There were eight drug driving offences, compared to one in the first quarter of last year.
Other notable statistics show a rise in burglaries. Sixty burglary offences were recorded, up from 45.
There was also a 27% rise in public order offences, from 255 in Q1 2018 to 326 in Q1 2019.
Garda crime data from Donegal goes against the national averages, as today’s CSO report found an increase in fraud and sexual offences across Ireland, while burglary and criminal damage offences continue to fall.