Drink driving offences increase by more than 70% in Donegal

Newly released Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures have revealed a more than 70% increase in drink driving offences.

Within Donegal Garda Division in the first quarter of 2025, there were 91 offences committed by a person driving/in charge of a vehicle while over the legal alcohol limit, compared to 53 offences committed in the first quarter of 2024, an increase of 71.7%. 

Only three Garda Divisions had higher drink driving figures in the first quarter of 2025. Those Garda Divisions were Kildare, Dublin Metropolitan Region Western, and Galway. 

Donegal Garda Division also recorded a 23.2% increase in possession of drugs for personal use in the first quarter of 2025, compared to the first quarter of 2024, and the number of threats to kill or cause serious harm offences nearly tripled, from 13 incidents in quarter one of 2024, to 34 in quarter one of 2025. 

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On the contrary, Donegal Garda Division did see several decreases in crime figures in other categories of crime. 

Burglary and related offences fell by nearly 40% in quarter one of 2025 compared to the same period of 2024, and theft and related offences decreased by 23%. In quarter one of 2024, there were 36 burglary offences and 242 theft offences, compared to 22 burglary offences and 186 theft offences in quarter one of 2025. 

Donegal Garda Division also recorded lower figures in disorderly conduct, public order offences, and non-arson criminal damage. 

Disorderly conduct offences fell by 14% in quarter one of 2025 compared to the same period of 2024, and public order offences fell by 9% and non-arson criminal damage offences fell by 8%.