Figures released by the Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, show there has been an increase in serious crime over the past 12 months.
The figures, announced by Mr McDowell at Templemore this afternoon, show murder and manslaughter are up 17%, robbery up 20%, drugs offences are up 18% and shootings up 9%.
There has been a decrease in most categories of sex offences - with drops in reported incidents of rape, unlawful carnal knowledge and aggravated sexual assault.
However there has been an increase in the incidence of male rape.
And in spite of the investigation set up to stop bicycles being stolen, the bicycle theft rate has continued to increase by nearly 60% in the last three months.
