The number of killings in Ireland jumped more than three-quarters last year, gardai have confirmed.
Statistics released by Garda HQ late last night showed there were 44 cases of murder or manslaughter last year, compared to 25 in 2021 – an increase of 76 per cent.
Gardai also said last night that the number of killings in 2022 was up by a smaller percentage of 16 per cent on 2019, when there were 38 cases of murder and manslaughter.
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The force said Covid-19 public health measures saw a reduction in most types of crime.
A spokeswoman said: "Comparisons between current 2022 data and 2021 should continue to be considered in the context of Covid-19, therefore a longer trend comparison are given against 2019 figures.
"Public health measures had a significant effect on crime, with most types of crime reporting reductions during the Covid-19 period."
The figures for the numbers of rape and sexual assault cases increased by four per cent in this time period.
The number of reported residential burglaries increased by seven per cent from 2021 to 2022 – but was down 45 per cent on 2019.
Thefts from the person increased by a massive 111 per cent between 2021 and last year but were down 40 per cent on the 2019 figures.
Vehicle theft jumped by 52 per cent last year from 2021’s figures and up 17 per cent on 2019.
Crimes against the person increased by 14 per cent on 2021’s figures and the number of cases of assault causing harm jumped by 20 per cent in the same time frame.
The difference between 2019 and 2022 was a six per cent increase for crimes against the person and 16 per cent for assault causing harm.
And the number of cases of gardai being obstructed or assaulted increased by two per cent last year – but was up 27 per cent on 2019.
Lockdowns brought an increase in domestic violence incidents, with a shocking 54,000 cases last year.
That compares to 44,500 in 2019, an increase of 21 per cent, and 50,000 in 2021, or a jump of eight per cent.
Gardai also said there was an increase in sexual offences, as there has been every year since 2015.
Sexual offences overall showed an increase of four per cent on 2021 and eight per cent on 2019.
But the number of reported rapes last year increased by 13 per cent on 2019 and two per cent on 2021.
The number of cases of child sexual abuse material increased by six per cent on 2019 and three per cent on 2021.
A Garda spokeswoman said: "The increase in sexual offences figures may relate to a change in reporting behaviour whereby victims are increasingly likely to report sexual crime.
"Furthermore, ongoing efforts by An Garda Siochana regarding improvement of data quality and recording may be a contributing factor to the upward trend in recorded incidents of both sexual offences and crimes against the person in recent years. It therefore cannot be concluded that the increase in sexual offences (in recent years) is solely due to an increased level of incidents occurring."
Although murder was up, the statistics for attempted murders were down 31 per cent on 2021 and 59 per cent on 2019.
But stalking and harassment cases were up by five per cent on 2021 and 18 per cent on 2019.
Public order offences also slumped – down five per cent on 2019 and 10 per cent on 2021.
Gardai also seized €89 million worth of drugs last year as well as €3.75 million in cash and nine firearms.
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