Ireland's recorded crime statistics for October, November, and December 2025 showed that recorded crime incidents fell for most offence groups between 2024 and 2025, Ireland's Central Statistics Office (CSO) said today, Thursday, March 26.
"The most significant decreases were recorded in homicide and related offences (-25%), kidnapping and related offences (-21%), burglary and related offences (-13%), and robbery, extortion and hijacking offences (-11%)," Jim Dalton, Statistician in the CSO's Crime & Criminal Justice Section, said on Thursday.
"The rates of decrease from 2024 among all other offence groups were in the single-digit range, with the largest rate of decrease at 9% for crime incidents of sexual offences.
"The number of crime incidents, however, increased for some offence groups with the largest rate of increase in weapons and explosives offences (+6%)."
Dolan noted that crime incidents of fraud, deception, and related offences continue to relate only to those reported directly to An Garda Síochána by members of the Public and do not include those reported by Financial Institutions as required under Section 19 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2011.
Recorded crime incidents fell for most offence groups in 2025https://t.co/mvHuPrw51z
— Central Statistics Office Ireland (@CSOIreland) March 26, 2026
#CSOIreland #Ireland #Crime #RecordedCrime #CrimeStatistics #CrimeStats pic.twitter.com/OgzqftzpKL
The CSO highlighted that over the 2022-2025 four-year period, the number of recorded crime incidents for 10 out of 15 offence groups was down (the change for Fraud, Deception & Related offences is not available).
Among the more significant decreases were:
- Homicide & Related offences – down 28% since 2022 to 66 crime incidents in 2025.
- Dangerous or Negligent Acts – where the number of crime incidents fell by 12% to 31,638.
- Kidnapping & Related offences – a fall of 12% to 142 crime incidents from 2022 to 2025.
- Burglary & Related offences – where the number of crime incidents fell by 10% to 8,469 in 2025.
- Sexual offences – where the number of crime incidents fell by 10% to 3,449 from 2022 to 2025.
However, crime incidents of Weapons & Explosives offences rose by 19% to 3,125 from 2022 to 2025 as did those of Theft & Related offences which were up by 11% to 73,335 crime incidents.
On Thursday, Jim O’Callaghan, Ireland's Minister for Justice, Home Affairs, and Migration, welcomed the CSO's publication of the crime statistics.
"Higher Garda visibility in our cities and communities is having a significant impact on the reduction of crime and ensuring the public feel safe," he said.
"I want the public to know that the government policy of proactive high-visibility policing will continue across the country.
"Of note in today’s CSO figures is the 13% reduction in burglary and related offences and the 11% reduction in robbery and related offences. I am extremely pleased to welcome a 25% decrease in homicide and related offences and a 9% reduction in sexual offences reported.
"I continue to encourage anyone who has been the victim of a sexual assault, or indeed any crime, to report it.
"The ongoing reduction in property crime reflects the unprecedented success that An Garda Síochána have had in reducing and preventing burglaries through Operation Thor. In the 10 years since Operation Thor began, burglary and related offences have declined overall. The level of residential burglaries during the winter months, October to March, has fallen by 75% since it started in 2015, which is a hugely significant reduction.
"The figures show a small increase in weapons offences. However, I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that An Garda Síochána are well equipped and committed to confronting this issue so that we stop any weapon, particularly guns, coming into Ireland.
"Alongside enforcement, long-term, evidence-based strategies are needed to address issues such as knife crime as part of a wider strategic response to anti-social behaviour, street violence, youth offending, and domestic violence.
"My department is progressing targeted interventions through youth diversion projects that work directly with young offenders and, at a wider community level, through the roll out of Local Community Safety Partnerships in all Local Authority areas.
"The Gardaí are taking proactive measures to confront this issue through their assault reduction strategy, which targets all types of assaults in public, including the use of knives.
"While the CSO release reflects a slight decrease in incidents of fraud, I note that this data does not include incidents reported by Financial Institutions. Further to the rise in incidents of fraud recently reported by An Garda Síochána, I am assured by the Commissioner that these investigations are being fully resourced and emerging trends are being closely monitored. I would urge anyone conducting sensitive or personal business online or over the phone to be extremely cautious and vigilant.
"An Garda Síochána continues to take a proactive policing approach to all crimes and offences, responding to thousands of calls daily and maintaining public safety. I want to acknowledge and commend the invaluable work carried by Gardaí across the State.
"The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to keep our communities safe, with Budget 2026 providing unprecedented funding of €2.74 billion."
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