Rise in blackmail and extortion offences in Laois/Offaly Garda Division

The number of blackmail and extortion offences in the Laois/Offaly Garda Division jumped by 88% last year, according to new figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO). 

There were 32 incidents of blackmail and extortion in the Division in 2023 compared to 17 in 2022, a rise that is in line with the national trend. 

The CSO figures show there has been a sharp rise in drug offences in the Laois/Offaly Garda Division. Offences relating to drugs for sale or supply increased from 132 cases to 159 in 2023, a 20% rise. Possession of drugs for personal use also increased by 22% from 584 in 2022 to 710 last year. 

Meanwhile drink driving offences increased by 14% from 155 recorded in 2022 to 177 in 2023. However there was no change in drug driving with 30 offences recorded in the division in both years. 

Fraud and deception related offences rose by 4% to 350 offences last year and threats to kill or cause serious harm went up slightly from 73 to 74. 

Cases of harassment also rose slightly from 66 to 68 offences and homicide offences increased by one with five offences recorded in the Laois/Offaly Division in 2023.

There was however a significant drop in the number of sexual offences recorded falling from 139 in 2022 to 107 last year, a 23% decline. Public order offences in the division were down 16% to 786. 

Cases of assault causing harm fell by 6% to 220 and other assaults fell by 5% with 483 recorded last year. 

The number of burglaries recorded in the division dropped slightly from 332 to 331 last year, according to the CSO. 

Theft and related offences dropped by 9% coming down from 1,586 to 1,447. 

There were slight drops in the number of arson offences and offences relating to weapons and explosives.