By Róise Collins

NEW crime statistics for Donegal have revealed a 111 per cent increase in the number of offences of driving while over legal alcohol limit recorded in the county when compared to the same period the previous year.

The latest crime figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) revealed there was a 35 per cent increase in the number of harassment cases in the Donegal division. Attempts or threats to murder, assaults, harassments and related offences also saw a notable 20 per cent increase in the same period.

Public Order and other social code offences account for the highest number of offences with over 270 reported to Donegal gardaí in the second quarter of this year.

Meanwhile, many other categories saw a decline, including theft and related offences, which was down 17 per cent and theft from shops which also decreased by over 25 per cent.

Criminal damage was also down over 10 per cent.