Figures released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) yesterday reveal an unprecedented rise in fraud and deception cases with 178 reported in Donegal up to the end of June. This compares to 105 cases of a similar nature over the same period in 2020, a 69 per cent jump.

The CSO says the 40 per cent rise in fraud cases nationally primarily relates to fraudulent attempts to obtain personal or banking information online or by phone as well as fraudulent use of credit and debit card information.

The Donegal Division has also experienced a significant rise in cases involving the possession of drugs for the purpose of sale and supply. There has been a 55 per cent rise in this type of activity with 62 cases recorded over the six month period.

Drug driving rates were also up in the division by 24 per cent with 123 cases compared to 99 last year.

The number of sexual offences recorded in Donegal rose by 18 per cent up from 50 to 59 and harassment cases were up 21 per cent to 58.

Criminal damage was up 16 per cent with 261 cases recorded compared to 224 last year.

All other crimes in the county were down on last year’s figures. In particular non aggravated burglaries plummeted by 45 per cent with just 44 reported up to the end of June.

Theft offences were down by 25 per cent from 271 to 203 cases and offences in custody and in breach of the courts fell by 27 per cent with 43 crimes reported.

Assaults causing harm dropped by 17 per cent from 65 cases reported in 2020 to 54 in the first half of this year and other assaults were down slightly from 182 to 178.

While drug driving statistics spiked drink driving was in fact down by five per cent with 103 cases reported. Possession of drugs for personal use was also down, falling by eleven per cent from 216 cases reported in the first half of 2020 compared to 191 in 2021.

Cases involving weapons and explosives were down 18 per cent  and public order offences dropped by nine per cent.

The figures have been published “under reservation” which means the CSO does not stand over the accuracy of the Gardai’s PULSE data.