New CSO report reveals Irish counties with highest re-offending rates

Counties across Ireland with the highest re-offending rates have been revealed in a new report from the Central Statistics Office (CSO). 

According to 'Probation Re-Offending Statistics 2018', which was published today (Thursday December 1), offenders from Tipperary had the highest overall re-offending rates (39%) in 2018, followed by Cork (34%), and Kilkenny and Sligo (33% each). 

Offenders from Mayo were least likely to re-offend (10%), followed by Roscommon (12%), Kildare (15%), and Donegal (16%). 

Clare and Meath both have re-offending rates of 31%, with Galway offenders breaking probation 30% of the time. 

Wexford, Kerry, Louth and Laois all have a re-offending rate of 29%, while the rate in Dublin, Longford and Westmeath is 28%. 

Twenty seven percent of offenders from Offaly, Waterford and Cavan re-offend, while 22% of Carlow offenders go on to break the law again. 

However, the vast majority of re-offences within one year (2018) occurred among people from Dublin (432 people out of over 1,500 offenders) compared to just 3 people (out of 15 offenders) in Leitrim. 

Two hundred and fifteen people who re-offended within the year were reported to be from Cork, with 100 people from Limerick (out of a total 303 offenders). 

Of individuals placed in the probation service in 2018 who re-offended within one year, 63% were under the age of 25. 

Almost 70% of re-offences took place within 6 months.