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Michael Probst/AP
criminal justice
Nine murders committed by people released on bail
Figures released by the Department of Justice show 16,812 crimes were committed by those on bail in 2012.
NINE MURDERS recorded in Ireland in the first nine months of 2012 were carried out by offenders who are suspected to have been on bail at the time of the attack, new figures have shown.
Data released by the Department of Justice shows that a total of 52 murders have been committed since 2007 by individuals who have been on bail from the penal system.
In addition, one manslaughter was committed by someone on bail, as were 17 sexual offences – including seven sexual assaults, six rapes and two defilements of someone under the age of 17.
The data was compiled in response to a parliamentary question from Fine Gael backbencher Bernard Durkan.
The figures – which reflect crimes from the beginning of 2007 to the end of September last year – showed that the number of crimes committed by people out on bail in 2012 as a whole was likely to fall to its lowest for several years.
A total of 16,812 crimes were committed by people out on bail in the first three quarters of 2012. If that figure continued at the same rate for the final quarter, the annual figure would stand at 22,416 – the lowest figure for any year for which data was supplied.
In 2008, 29,564 crimes were committed by prisoners on bail; for 2011 the figure stood at 24,482.
The figures for the first three quarters of 2012 include 4,329 offences while in custody or breach of a court order – by far the most common type of offence.
In full: Crimes committed by suspects on bail, Jan-Sept 2012
- Murder: 9
- Manslaughter: 1
- Dangerous driving leading to death: 0
- Rape of a male or female: 6
- Defilement of a boy or girl less than 17 years old: 2
- Aggravated sexual assault: 1
- Sexual assault (not aggravated): 7
- Other sexual offences: 1
- Murder-attempt: 1
- Murder-threat: 18
- Assault causing harm, poisoning: 169
- Other assault: 288
- Harassment and related offences: 36
- Dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm: 1
- Driving/in charge of a vehicle while over legal alcohol limit: 233
- Driving/in charge of a vehicle under the influence of drugs: 21
- Endangerment with potential for serious harm/death: 4
- Abandoning a child, child neglect and cruelty: 3
- Unseaworthy/Dangerous use of boat or ship: 0
- False alarm/Interference with aircraft or air transport facilities: 0
- Endangering traffic offences: 21
- False Imprisonment: 12
- Abduction of person under 16 years of age: 0
- Human Trafficking Offences: 0
- Robbery of an establishment or institution: 176
- Robbery of cash or goods in transit: 7
- Robbery from the person: 212
- Blackmail or extortion: 1
- Carjacking, highjacking/unlawful seizure of of aircraft/vessel: 5
- Aggravated burglary: 27
- Burglary (not aggravated): 1218
- Possession of an article (with intent to burgle, steal, demand): 203
- Theft/Taking of vehicle and related offences: 323
- Theft from person: 268
- Theft from shop: 1931
- Other thefts, handling stolen property: 1370
- Fraud, deception and Related Offences: 168
- Importation of drugs: 1
- Cultivation or manufacture of drugs: 24
- Possession of drugs for sale or supply: 389
- Possession of drugs for personal use: 709
- Other Drug Offences: 97
- Explosives, Chemical Weapons offences: 2
- Discharging of a firearm: 2
- Possession of a firearm: 34
- Offensive weapons offences: 331
- Fireworks Offences: 0
- Arson: 30
- Criminal damage (not arson): 615
- Litter offences: 4
- Disorderly conduct: 2968
- Trespass offences: 377
- Liquor licensing offences: 1
- Prostitution offences: 7
- Regulated Betting/Money, Collection/Trading Offences: 10
- Other social code offences: 118
- Offences against Government and its agents: 18
- Organisation of crime and conspiracy to commit crime: 0
- Perverting the course of justice: 3
- Offences while in custody, breach of court orders: 4329
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