Limerick crime rates above national average

CRIME rates across Limerick were above the national average in 2025, according to crime statistics published by the Central Statistics...

CRIME rates across Limerick were above the national average in 2025, according to crime statistics published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

Limerick had an overall “crime rate” of 564 crimes per 10,000 population, above the national average of 532.

The highest ranking crimes across Limerick were theft and possession of weapons.

Limerick registered 166 thefts per 10,000 population, one of three counties above the national average, alongside Louth (170) and Westmeath (156).

Limerick’s lowest ranking crimes were assaults and threats, according to the CSO stats.

However, Limerick registered 17 burglaries per 10,000 population, one above the national average.

With a total of 8,469 break-ins nationally, the chance of having one’s home burgled was still significantly higher in other parts of the country in 2025.

Dublin and Wicklow registered the highest burglary rates nationally, with 26 burglary offences per 10,000 population.

They are followed by Louth (25), Wexford (21), and Monaghan (19), according to the statistics published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

Overall, Limerick, Louth, Westmeath, and Waterford were the four counties with crime levels above the national average of 532 offences per 10,000 population.

Compared with Dublin, which accounted for the highest rate of motoring crimes, Limerick also registered high rates of road offences (including driving without tax, insurance, or a driving licence).

The installation of fixed speed cameras on the country’s national road network may also explain why some counties recorded particularly high rates of dangerous and negligent driving offences.

In the first quarter of 2026, homicide and related offences were recorded down 27 per cent nationally.

Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan noted that “high visibility policing” was having a “positive impact” regarding cases of assault.

The Minister said that “getting more Gardaí on our streets” was a “key priority for me”, and that “increased Garda recruitment and appropriate civilianisation in An Garda Síochána is ongoing to achieve this”.

The latest Garda recruitment campaign received more than 4,100 applications.

However, Minister O’Callaghan said he was concerned at increases in the first quarter of this year in dangerous driving offences, including careless driving, drink and drug driving and speeding.