Drug Cases Rise By 26 Per Cent

The number of drugs cases dealt with by the District Courts in Ireland increased by 26% over the last year, according to figures released by the Courts Service.

The figures showed that there were 8,842 drugs offences processed in 2006, compared to 7,003 in the previous year.

The figures showed that 888 people received prison sentences out of that number, while more than 2,400 were fined.

Larceny or theft cases also increased in 2006, rising by more than 16% to reach 24,463. There was also a 4% increase in public order and assault offences, rising to 38,700 in 2006, compared to 37,119 in the previous year.

Overall, the number of criminal cases appearing before the District Courts increased by 10% over the last year, with nearly 330,000 cases heard by the courts, compared to 302,000 in the previous year.

The number of indictable cases, which can be sent forward to be tried at Circuit Court level due to their serious nature, increased by almost 17% from 41,374 in 2005 to 48,272 last year.

More than 1,000 special or extra sittings of the District Court were also held last year in order to speed up the number of cases heard.

The District Courts generally deal with minor criminal offences, such as possession of small quantities of drugs, petty theft and minor assaults.

(KMcA/SP)