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ASSAULTS causing harm rose by a quarter in the first three months of 2018 while public order and drunkeness incidents rose slightly, according to the latest figures from the Kerry Garda Division.
However, there was a large increase in criminal damage incidents in the same period compared to last year.
The statistics were revealed at the Joint Policing Committee meeting at Kerry County Council on Friday morning by Chief Supt Tom Myers.
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Assaults causing harm were up 26% from 27 in Q1 2017 to 34 in the first quarter of 2018. Minor assaults were almost static at 67 last year compared to 66 in Q1 2018.
Chief Supt Myers said most of the assaults causing harm are related to public order incidents where alcohol may be involved.
Public Order offences rose by 6% from 159 in Q1 2017 to 168 in Q1 2018, while Drunkenness offences were up from 114 to 122.
When it comes to Criminal Damage, there was a marked increase from 46 in Q1 2017 to 75 in Q1 2018. Chief Supt Myers said they are closely monitoring this. Arson cases were static at four in 2017 and the same in Jan-Mar 2018.
