Newly released Central Statistics Office figures show a spike in crime across Ireland last year.

Nearly 5,000 people were caught drunk driving last year, according to figures from the CSO.

There was a 24% increase in the numbers of drivers caught while under the influence of drugs, with nearly 2,000 reports made by Gardaí.

2024 also saw a rise in shoplifting, explosives offences and public order incidents.

According to the CSO, burglaries were up by 10% in the 12 months up to September last year.

Stealing money. Image: Alamy

Data shows that there were nearly 10,000 burglaries reported in 2024, with a 15% rise in the number of cases that involved violence.

Former Detective Inspector Pat Marry said the rise in thefts and burglaries is particularly concerning.

"I know there's manpower issues, but on a greater scale, where analysts analyse the burglaries country-wide for a period of a week or a month or whatever and see what gangs are travelling, where they're taking place, what times they take place, what is the modus operandi and they will stop them," he said.

"They will come across them, there is no doubt."

Home burglary and robbery. Image: Alamy

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy said the figures reflect the experience of communities around the country.

"Lots of people across many communities, rural and urban, saying that they feel less safe, that they feel that there is an increase in crime within their communities," he said.

"Those concerns have largely been dismissed by Government but I think the figures today reflect the sense that people have that they are less safe in their communities than they would like to be, and they certainly don't feel as safe."

According to Labour TD Alan Kelly, rising thefts and burglaries are a "worrying" result of low Garda numbers.

He believes there needs to be more Gardaí in the streets to tackle the rise in burglaries.

A set of car keys on a table full of glasses of alcoholic drinks and bottles. Image: Alamy