According to an AA survey in 2013, burglaries were on the increase in Ireland in general, with nearly one-third of Irish homes having been the victim of some form of break-in (28.5%).
County Meath suffered a bigger surge in burglaries than anywhere else in the commuter belt – a 40% increase over eight years, or a steady growth of 5% per annum. Counties Laois, Kildare, Louth and Offaly also saw marked increases in break-in rates.
The AA reported: “With entire neighbourhoods left abandoned five days per week, burglars can pick out their targets and do as they please with very little chance of getting caught.”
In Connaught, each county reported an increase in burglaries. Although Co Donegal has the lowest burglary rate in the Republic of Ireland, more than one in 10 homes had been burgled.
The AA also reported that 14% of burglars gained access to a home through an open door or window. More than twice as many (31%) got in through a locked door. The AA noted: “Such statistics highlight the need for a working home security system as a well locked-up home acts as scant deterrent to a determined criminal.”
