Tipperary gardaí say prosecuting assault cases is a balance between evidence and support

Tipperary Chief Superintendent Aileen Magner has said gardaí have to “balance” prosecuting assault cases with the “cooperation” from victims.

She said that gardaí need people who have been hurt to make statements so that gardaí can secure a conviction.

But, even if a victim does not provide a statement, Chief Supt Magner said the gardai are there for them.

“It can take a lot of work for gardaí on the ground and time to get those offences over the line and through the courts.

“ Often we never do. But we are there to support victims when and where they need us,” said Chief Supt Magner.

Chief Supt Magner said there are many reasons people do not cooperate from the injured party being an aggressor themselves or in a vulnerable position.

She said an additional factor in assault cases is that there may be multiple people involved and counter-allegations.

Chief Supt Magner said on crimes against the person that gardaí have done some excellent work in recent months.

Crimes against the person can include assaults but also murder, murder threats, harassment, child abandonment, neglect and abuse.

“Gardaí are working day and night to ensure those responsible for these horrendous crimes go before the courts,” said Chief Supt Magner.

Statistics

Crimes against the person were down four percent across the division from 154 incidents to 148 when the period of November to January 2022/2023 is compared to the same months in 2023/2024. Nenagh was up six percent (31-33 incidents), and Thurles was down 32% (34-23 incidents).

Clonmel was up 22% (46-56 incidents) and Cahir was down 19% (27-22).Tipperary Town was down 13% from 16 incidents to 14.

Looking specifically at assaults both minor and assault causing harm, the division saw a 10% reduction.

Assaults causing harm were down 38% in the year to date from 53 incidents to 33.

Minor assault were up 12% from 66 to 74 incidents.

Nenagh saw no change at all. Clonmel was the only area to see an increase.

There was 20% more incidents in the period which was 42 up from 35.

Thurles was down 35% from 26 to 17 incidents.

Cahir was down 41% from 22 to 13 incidents. While Tipperary Town was down ten percent to less than ten incidents.

Where there are less than ten incidents, a precise figure is not given.