Suspects on bail commit 849 crimes in Laois Offaly in 2025

Garda figures reveal 849 crimes were committed in Laois and Offaly in 2025 by suspects who were on bail at the time.

The figures were released to Sinn Fein Justice spokesperson Deputy Matt Carthy in response to a Parliamentary Question to Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan on Thursday, February 5. 

Dep Carthy asked about the number of crimes recorded where the suspected offenders were on bail, by county and category of offence, in 2025.  

Minister O’Callaghan described it as “totally unacceptable” that offences are committed by people on bail. 

“That is a direct breach of their promise made when bail is granted by the court,” Minister O'Callaghan pointed out. 

He said he had appointed Senior Counsel Lorcan Stains to carry out an assessment of bail in Ireland both in legal and practical terms.  Mr Staines’ report ‘An Assessment of the Efficacy of Bail Laws in Ireland’ was published in November 2025. 

“This examination of our bail laws and subsequent proposals underlines the need for additional actions to be taken to ensure the criminal justice system effectively mitigates against risks that may be associated with individuals on bail,” said Minister O’Callaghan. 

He said a number of recommendations are under active consideration or in progress by his Department since the publication. 

Minister O’Callaghan provided information by Garda Division for dates in 2025 up December 16.

“It is important to note that suspected offenders may be responsible for more than one incident,” said Minister O’Callaghan. 

Nationally, suspects on bail were identified in 38,221 crimes between January 1 and December 16, 2025.