Concern over knife possession in Tipperary

Most other types of crime in decline

Gardaí have detected an increasing number of young people carrying knives in Tipperary. While reductions have been recorded in most categories of crime this year, last week's meeting of Tipperary Joint Policing Committee was informed of an 84% increase in possession of offensive weapons countywide. The number of offences in this category stood at 41 in the year to date compared to 22 in the same period last year.

Chief Superintendent Colm O'Sullivan told the meeting that gardaí have noticed a trend of people carrying pen-knives or other small blades. But these weapons are being seized and taken off the streets.

Deputy Martin Browne asked if this knife possession could be attributed to a particular age group. He wanted to know about the intended purpose of the knives and whether people should be concerned about “something more serious”.

Chief Supt O'Sullivan said those found in possession of knives were mostly under the age of 35. They generally told gardaí that they were carrying the knife for their “own protection”. The weapons were not used in any incidents, but Chief Supt O'Sullivan said gardaí have detected greater numbers of people carrying them.

PROPERTY CRIME IN NENAGH

Nenagh saw the biggest increase in property crime in Tipperary so far this year, rising 19% on last year from 124 to 128 offences. Chief Supt O'Sullivan said thefts from shops account for nearly half of all theft crime in Tipperary. Alcohol and groceries account for most of the items stolen. There were also 94 thefts from vehicles during the period in question, as well as drive-offs from fuel stations and thefts of items left in gardens overnight.

Burglaries decreased in most parts of the county, the overall figure dropping 26% in the year to date from 129 to 96 offences.

Crimes against the person - including the likes of assaults, threats and harassment - declined 11% from 290 to 257 offences.

Nenagh saw the county's biggest decease in this area, 47 offences compared to 70 in the same period last year.

The number of drugs possession for sale or supply offences also decreased, a 30% fall countywide from 54 to 38 offences. Drugs possession for personal use increased, however, a 10% rise to 153 offences this year.

In the area of road traffic offences, there have been two fatal collisions this year compared to three in 2022. The number of serious injury collisions was down 13% from 23 to 20 incidents.

While the number of Mandatory Intoxicant Testing (MIT) checkpoints decreased 14% from 1,542 last year, there was a 14% increase in the number of driving while intoxicated offences, 119 compared to 104 last year. Of these, 33 were drug driving offences.

DOMESTIC ABUSE

Another category of crime that increased in the first half of 2023 was domestic violence, up 14.6%, representing a continuous upward trend over recent years. Offences in this category include domestic violence and breaches of barring, protection or safety orders.

Chief Supt O'Sullivan did not want to provide specific numbers for fear of identifying abuse victims in a particular area. He also explained that a number of cases are still before the courts.

Cllr Siobhán Ambrose asked about human trafficking and prostitution, which has become "very real across all communities". Chief Supt O'Sullivan said this is not something that gardaí are dealing with on a significant scale in Tipperary at present.

The Chief Super also had figures in relation to hate crime, which increased to four offences this year compared to only one last year. But he said he was not concerned in relation to any particular group of people. Victims of hate crime are generally targeted over their race, religion or sexual orientation, though Chief Supt O'Sullivan said there is "no trend against any one community" in Tipperary.

PROPERTY MARKING

Also during the Joint Policing Committee meeting, Inspector James White encouraged people with valuable property to participate in the Property Marking Ireland scheme. There will be training sessions advertised in each of Tipperary's five municipal district later this year.

Inspector White spoke of the number times gardaí have recovered stolen property but cannot reunite it with its owner because the owner cannot identify an item as theirs. Gardaí are working with policing partners across Europe and the benefits of property marking are far-reaching, Inspector White said, inviting anyone with questions to contact him at Thurles Garda Station.